UNIVERSITY  OF 
ILLir    r      --RARY 

AT  UR3A,,A  ^.. 

ILL  HIST.  SURVEY 


A  HISTORY 


OP  THE 


NINTH- BEGIMENT 


1LLINOJS  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 

^ 


t 

BY  THE  CHAPLAIN, 


MARION    MORRISON 


MONMOUTH,   ILLS.: 

JOHN    S.    CLARK,    PRINTER 


* 


f 


PREFACE 


In  this  sketch  of  the  military  career  of  the  9th  111.  Vol.  Inft..  my 
object  has  been,  to  present  the  facts  connected  with  its  organization, 
and  its  connection  with  the  various  battle-scenes  through  which  it  hua 
passed.  I  have  entered  upon  the  compilation  of  these  facts  with  some 
degree  of  hesitation.  I  have  thrown  it  into  the  present  shape,  only  on 
the  earnest  solicitation  of  a  number  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the  Regi- 
ment. Originally  nothing  more  was  contemplated  than  a  newspaper 
sketch.  It  was  thought  that  even  the  prominent  facts  in  the  Regiment'* 
history,  could  not  be  given  in  such  an  article,  without  making  it  so  long 
that  publishers  would  not  wish  to  insert  it  in  their  papers,  or  the  readers 
of  such  papers  be  willing  to  read  it. 

It  has  been  the  writer's  aim,  not  only  to  give  the  facts  connected  with 
the  various  battles  in  which  the  Regiment  has  been  engaged,  but  to 
narrate  many  incidents  on  marches  and  scouts,  both  of  a  general  and 
individuah'character.  Often  these  incidents  will  throw  more  light  upon 
the  real  workings  of  soldier  life,  than  accounts  of  great  battles. 

I  am  indebted  for  most  of  the  facts  connected  with  the  marches  and 
battles  of  the  Regiment,  to  the  kindness  of  Adjutant  Klock.  Most  of 
the  incidents  I  have  gathered  from  the  officers  and  men  in  the  Regi- 
ment. Much  dependence  had  to  be  put  in  these,  since  the  writer  hat 
only  been  with  the  Regiment  from  the  first  of  September,  1863. 

It  was  felt  to  be  due  the  Regiment,  that  a  sketch  of  this  kind  be  pre- 
pared. It  has  never  had  a  correspondent  to  herald  its  deeds  of  daring 
in  the  news  of  the  day,  as  many  other  regiments  have.  Hence,  although 
it  has  performed  a  great  amount  of  hard  and  very  valuable  service,  still 
it  has  but  seldom  been  noticed  in  the  papers.  Let  justice  be  done. 
Nothing  more. 

If  I  can  but  succeed  in  putting  together  the  substantial  facts  in  the 

History  of  this  Regiment,  so  that  they  can  be  preserved  by  the  boys, 

in  a  convenient  form  for  reference,  and  afford  material  to  aid  the  future 

historian  in  making  up  the  history  of  this  war,  I  will  have  accomplished 

he  object  I  have  in  view. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Cause  of  the  Rebellion — Measures  taken  l>y  the  leaders  to  deceive  the 
masses — James  Buchanan — Lincoln1  s  journey  to  Washington,  and 
entering  upon  his  duties — Call  for  75,000  Volunteers — Organization 
o/Sth  III. — Roster  of  officers — Six  Regiments  organized  in  Illinois — - 
Natureof"  Three  months'  service'1 — Kentucky  neutrality — Scouting — - 
Incidents —  When  mustered  out — Reorganization. 

Every  lover  of  his  country  will  remember,  with,  peculiar  emotions, 
the  events  of  the  Winter  and  Spring  of  1861.  On  the  election  of  Abra- 
ham Lincoln  to  the  position  of  President  of  the  United  States,  in  the 
autumn  of  1860,  the  Southern  portion  of  our  once  peaceful  and  happy 
country  were  indignant  at  the  result.  They  had  so  long  been  accus- 
tomed to  have  everything  their  own  way,  so  far  as  President-making 
was  concerned,  that  they  could  not  endure  the  thought  of  being  super- 
ceded  in  their  favorite  work.  For  years  they  had  elected  Presidents 
who  were  either  Southern  men,  or  Northern  men  whose  views  agreed 
with  Jtheir  own  on  the  great  question  at  issue  with  them — Slavery. 
Now  that  a  Northern  man  was  elected  to  the  Presidency,  who,  it  was 
known,  would  use  his  constitutional  powers  to  check  the  spread  of  that 
ruinous  system,  they  were  determined  not  to  suffer  it.  Loud  talkings 
of  secession  from  the  Union,  spread  rapidly  throughout  the  South. 

The  leaders  in  this  wicked  rebellion  did  not  allow  the  mass  of  the 
people  to  know  the  exact  position  which  the  newly  elected  President 
had  taken,  and  the  policy  he  would  pursue  with  reference  to  the  slavery 
question.  If  they  had,  we  would  never  have  heard  of  the  rebellion  now 
raging  in  our  land.  Their  watchword  was,  that  whenever  he  would 
enter  upon  the  duties  of  his  office,  he  would  at  once  take  measures  to 
have  the  slaves  set  free  throughout  the  entire  South ;  that  slaves  would 
everywhere  be  stirred  up  to  insurrection.  Thus  the  leaders  aroused 
the  minds  of  the  masses,  and  prepared  them  for  the  terrible  ruin  into 
which  they  were  about  to  plunge  them. 

During  the  Fall  after  the  election  of  the  present  President,  it  was 
my  privilege  to  meet  with  a  citizen  of  Mississippi,  who  was  visiting  Illi- 
nois oa  matters  of  business.  He  had  spent  two  or  three  weeks  iu 


6  A   HISTORY   OF 

Springfield  and  vicinity,  attending  to  that  business.  Spe'aking  of  the 
stale  of  feeling  existing  in  his  State,  and  contrasting  that  with  the 
feelings  manifested  in  Illinois,  he  said,  :'I  would  give  half  I  am  worth, 
if  the  people  of  the  South  could  only  see  and  know  what  I  have  seen 
and  learned  since  I  have  been  in  Illinois."  He  had  had'  an  interview 
with  the  President  elect;  had  made  the  acquaintance  of  many  of  his 
prominent  friends;  and  had  become,  fully  satisfied  that  he,  together 
with  the  mass  of  the  people  South,  was  entirely  mistaken  as  to  the 
position  which  the  incoming  administration  would  occupy  on  the  ques- 
tion of  slavery.  "Why,  sir,  if  my  fellow  citizens  eould  on?y  see  things 
as  I  now  see  them,  there  would  be  no  difficulty.  If  they  could  only  be 
convinced  that  the  incoming  Administration  would  not  interfere  with 
the  system  of  slavery  as  it  exists  in  the  slave  States,  but  were  only 
opposed  to  its  further  extension,  there  would  be  no  further  difficulty. 
But,"  says  he,  "I  cannot  hope  to  see  that  state  of  feeling  now  produced. 
If  I  should  go  home  and  tell  them  what  I  have  seen  and  what  I  have 
heard,  my  life  would  be  in  danger.  I  would  be  denounced  as  an  abo- 
litionist. My  friends  dissuaded  me  from  making  the  journey  to  this 
State.  'If  you  go  to  Illinois  you  will  be  mobbed/  I  feared  the  result 
myself,  but  my  business  was  urgent.  I  am  agreeably  surprised  to  find 
that  here  a  man  can  express  his  opinions  on  this  vexed  question,  with 
perfect  safety."  This  Southern  man  expressed  himself  thus,  on  the 
eve  of  this  rebellion,  withvtcars  in  his  eyes. 

But  time  passed.  The  leaders  in  this  rebellion  were  making  Hercu- 
lean efforts  to  be  prepared  for  the  crisis.  James  Buchanan  occupied 
the  Presidential  chair.  He  was  just  the  instrument  they  needed  in 
that  position.  His  heart  was  with  them.  Most  of  the  Cabinet  he  had 
gathered  around  him,  were  notorious  traitors,  and  ready  to  resort  to 
any  means  to  carry  out  their  wicked  ends.  Hence  they  robbed  the 
government  of  its  treasures,  its  arms,  and  it's  fortifications.  .  During  the 
Winter,  one  State  after  another  passed  acts  of  secession,  and  he  looked 
quietly  on,  but  made  no  demonstration  towards  stopping  it.  Armed 
forces  were  gathering  in  the  various  seceding  States.  Fort  Sumter 
was  still  in  possession  of  the  government.  Fortifications  were  erected 
in  Charleston  harbor  to  reduce  it.  Its  few  inmates  were  in  a  starving 
condition.  No  supplies  were  sent  them. 

The  term  of  office  of  James  Buchanan  expires.  The  Presidentelect 
enters  upon  his  journey  from  Springfield,  Illinois,  to  Washington,  D.  C. 
He  leaves  his  home,  feeling  fully  aware  of  the  great  work  before  him. 
He  is  satisfied  that  without  Divine  aid  he  will  be  unable  to  meet  the 
crisis.  Hence,  on  taking  his  departure,  while  standing  upon  the  steps 


THE   NINTH    REGIMENT.  7 

•of  the  cars,  he  asks  the  friends  he  was  leaving  behind,  to  seek  that  aid 
on  his  behalf.  A  plot  is  laid  for  his  assassination,  in  the  City  of  Bal- 
timore. But  that  Providence,  whose  aid  he  desired,  revealed  the  plot, 
and  he  is  enabled  to  reach  Washington,  on  an  extra  train  and  at  an 
Jiour  unexpected.  At  the  proper  time  he  is  duly  initiated  into  his 
office.  He  looks  around  and  sees  the  sad  condition  of  the  affairs  of 
State.  He  firmly  grasps  the  helm,  however.  Although  the  ship  of 
state  is  in  a  leaky  condition;  although  many  a  plank  was  torn  off; 
-although  many  were  still  in  it  ready  to  strike  other  leaks;  although  but 
little  money  with  which  to  repair  it;  still  he  takes  firm  hold.  He 
gathers  around  him,  as  counselors  and  co-workers,  those  in  whom  he 
•could  place  confidence.  Every  exertion  which  could  possibly  be  made, 
is  made,  to  set  things  "to  rights"  again. 

It  is  not  long  until  Fort  Suniter  is  fired  upon  by  the  enemies  of  their 
•counlr}'.  The  roar  of  the  cannon,  whose  balls  shattered  the  walls  of' 
that  Fort,  echoed  throughout  the  land  a^nd  aroused  an  indignant  people 
to  arms-  In  the  meantime  the  President  calls  for  75,pOO  volun- 
teers to  enter  the  service  for  three  months.  He  has  been  blamed  for 
calling  for  so  few,  and  for  so  short  a  time.  That  caJl,  however,  doubt- 
less saved  the  capital  of  our  nation,  which  was  then  sorely  beleagured. 
In  compliance  with  this  call,  the  State  of  Illinois  furnished  six  regi- 
znents  for  the  "three  months'  service."  That  call  was  made  on  the 
15th  day  of  April,  1861.  The  county  of  &t  Clair  promptly  sent  six 
companies;  the  county  of  Madison  three  companies,  and  the  county  of 
Montgomery  one  company.  They  rendezvoused  at  Springfield,  Illinois, 
on  the  23d  day  of  April,  1861,  and  were  organized  and  mustered  into 
the  service  on  the  25th  of  the  same  month.  It  was  the  third  regiment 
organized  in  Illinois,  and  was  numbered  as  the  9th  Begt.  111.  Vol.  I  nit 
The  roster  of  officers  of  companies,  as  reported,  is  as  follows: 
Company  A. — Aug.  Mersy,  Captain. 

"  — Jacob  Kercher,  1st  Lieutenant. 

"         "  — Birt  Affleck,  2d  Lieutenant 

•Company  B. — Bodolphus  Beckier,      Captain. 

" Ledergarber,  1st  Lieutenant. 

"         "  —II.  Clay  Hay,  2d  Lieutenant. 

Company  C- — I.  F.  Tiedenian,  Captain. 

" Conner,  1st  Lieutenant. 

L-  — Hamilton  Lieber,          2d  Lieutenant. 
Company  D. — Alexander  G.  Hawes,   Captain. 

" Cox,  1  st  Lieutenant. 

•" Iloman,  2d  Lieutenant 


A    HISTORY   OF 

Company  E. Catme,  Captain. 

" Scheitlier,  1st  Lieutenant. 

« Scheminger,  2d  Lieutenant. 

Company  F. — Van  Cleve,  Captain. 

"         "  — Loren  Webb,  1st  Lieutenant. 

"  — Geo.  Adams,  2d  Lieutenant. 

Company  G. Tuckery  Captain. 

",        " Davis,  1st  Lieutenant. 

" Ash,  2d  Lieutenant. 

Company  H. — Jesse  J.  Phillips',  Captain. 

"  —John  W.  KitcheJl,  1st  Lieutenant, 

"  — Wm.  F.  Armstrong,  2d  Lieutenant. 

Company   I. — Jos.  G.  Robinson,  Captain. 

"-        "  — Thos.  J.  Newsham,  1st  Lieutenant. 

«-         u Gerly,  2d  Lieutenant. 

Company  K. — John  H.  Kuhn,  Captain. 

"         " Shutterer,  1st  Lieutenant. 

"  — Emil  Adam,  2d  Lieutenant. 

An  election  for  field  officers  was  held  on  the  organization  of  the  Regi- 
aient,  which  resulted  in  the  choice  of — 

ELEAZER  A.  PAINE,          Colonel. 
AUGUST  MERSY,  Lt.  Colonel. 

JESSE  J.  PHILLIPS,  Major. 

The  following  were  appointed  staff  officers : 

Dr.  Bell,  of  Springfield,  Surgeon. 

Dr.  S.  M.  Hamilton,  of  Monmou-th,      Assistant  Surgeon. 

John  W.  Kitchell,  Adjutant. 

Davis,  Quarter  Master. 

J.  J.  Ferree,  Chaplain. 

No  sooner  was  the  Regiment  fully  organized,  than  it  was  called  to 
duty.  The  Rebels  were  evidently  making  their  arrangements  to  take 
possession  of,  and  occupy  Cairo,  111.  '  They  saw  at  once,  if  they  could 
do  this,  they  would  be  able  to  cut  off  all  communication  between  the 
Ohio  and  Mississippi  rivers.  They  would  thus  occupy  a  position  from 
which  they  would  be  able,  not  only  to  command  these  rivers,  but  to 
make  inroads  into  the  State  of  Illinois.  They  contemplated  making 
their  battle-grounds  on  Northern  soil.  It  did  not  at  all  enter  into  their 
original  plans,  to  wage  this  war  upon  the  saered  soil  of  the  South - 
Their  soldiers  were  promised  the  privilege  of  sacking  Northern  cities, 
and  overrunning  Northern  States.  But  promptly  the  government  took 


THE    NINTH    REGIMENT.  9 

possession  of  Cairo,  and  thus  saved'  Illinois  from  the  invasion  of  the 
enemy.  While  the  Border  Free  States  of  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Indiana 
and- Iowa  have  suffered  from  Rebel  raids,  more  or  less,  Illinois  has  thus 
far  escaped. 

To  carry  out  this  design  of  occupying  Cairo,  ere  the  enemy  got  pos- 
session of  it,  orders  were  issued  on  the  30th  of  April,  1861,  to  the  9th 
Regt.  111.  Inft.,  to  report  at  Cairo,  111.  It  arrived  at  that  point  May 
1st,  1861,  at  9  A.  M.  It  was  the  third  Regiment  on  the  ground  at 
Cairo. 

The  first  six  regiments  from  Illinois,  that  were  organized  under  that 
call  of  the  President,  were : 

7th  Regiment,  Colonel  Cooke  Commanding. 

8th  "         Oglesby  " 

9th  Paine  " 

10th  Prentiss  " 

llth          "  "         Wallace  " 

12th  McArthur 

These  regiments  were  distributed  as  follows:  The  7th  Regiment 
was  ordered  to  Alton,  111.;  the  8th,  9th  and  10th  to  Cairo,  111.;  the  llth 
to  Villa  Ridge,  III;  the  12th  to  Casey's  Station,  on  the  0.  &  M.  R.  R. 
At  an  election  which  was  held  for  a  Brig.  Greneral  to  take  the  com- 
mand of  the  above  regiments,  B.  M.  Prentiss  was  elected.  His 
4tHead  Quarters"  were  at  Cairo,  111. 

After  the  Regiment  arrived  at  Cairo,  111.,  Lieut.  Conner,  of  Co.  C,  re- 
signed. Sergt.  W.  C.  Kneffner,  of  Co.  D,  was  elected  as  1st  Lieut,  of  Co- 
C,  and  commissioned  by  the  Governor.  Jacob  Kircher  was  commis- 
sioned as  Captain  of  Co.  A,  and  J.  W.  Kitchell  as  Captain  of  Co.  H. 

After  the  election  of  J.  W.  Kitchell  as  Captain  of  Co.  H,  1st  Lieut. 
Thos.  J.  Newsham  was  appointed  Adjutant  of  the  Regiment. 

The  Regiment  remained  on  duty  at  Cairo  during  the  term  of  service 
for  which  they  were  called  out. 

Many  of  the  soldiers,  supposing  that  they  would  be  furnished  with 
clothing  by  the  government,  took  very  little  clothing  with  them,  and 
that  of  the  most  ordinary  kind,  thinking  that  when  they  should  draw 
clothing  they  could  not  take  care  of  what  they  took  with  them.  The 
result  was,  that  many  of  them  had  no  change  of  clothing  for  the  three 
months  they  were  in  the  service.  They  had  no  regular  uniform.  Some 
of  the  companies  were  clothed  with  such  a  uniform  as  they  had 
selected  and  supplied  for  themselves.  When  the  Regiment  arrived  in 
Cairo,  no  provision  was  made  for  them  in  the  way  of  tents.  War  was 
a  new  thing  then,  and  the  Quartermaster  and  Commissary  stores  were 


10  A   HISTORY    OP 

not  always  ready  to  be  drawn  upon  at  a  moment's  warning.  The  sup- 
ply of  rations  was,-  at  times,  very  irregular.  The  men  had  not  been 
accustomed  to  making  themselves  comfortable  in  camp;  consequently 
they  sometimes  found  it  pretty  hard  living.  After  they  had  been 
there  a  few  days,  it  was  determined  to  go  into  camp  on  the  edge  of  the 
Mississippi  river,  between  the  town  and  the  river.  The  camping  ground 
was  covered  with  very  large  trees  of  drift-wood.  These  must  be  cleared 
off.  No  details  for  fatigue  duty  were  made;  but  Col.  Paine,  taking 
hold  along  with  the  rest,  said  "  Come,  boys,  we  must  red  these  logs  off, 
and  clear  up  this  ground."  And  at  it  they  went,  and  after  a  time  they 
had  the  logs  all  cleared  away,  the  stumps  burnt  out,  and  a  pretty  re- 
spectable camping  ground  prepared.  Much  hard  service  was  endured 
during  these  three  months.  Although  no  fighting  was  necessary,  yet 
some  of  the  soldiers' who  were  with  the  Regiment  then,  and  are  with  it 
still,  speak  of  those  three  months  as  the  hardest  part  of  their  military 
life.  The  duty  consisted  principally  in  working  on  the  fortifications, 
and  guard  duty.  This  was  very  onerous. 

To  make  it  harder  on  the  boys,  they  were  poorly  provided  with  food 
and  clothing.  Little  or  no  provision  was  made  for  blankets.  Many  of 
them,  if  they  got  their  shirts  washed,  had  to  take  them  off  and  go 
without  while  it  was  being  done.  If  they  did  this,  they  were  immedi- 
ately attacked  by  a  powerful  and  numerous  enemy,  in  the  shape  of 
mosquitoes.  While  the  rebels  like  to  attack  and 'surprise  our  boys, 
when  clothed  with  new  uniforms,  this  numerous  army  prefer  to  make 
the  attack  when  our  soldiers  are  entirely  stripped  of  their  coats  and 
their  shirts. 

During  the  time  the  Regiment  was  in  camp  at  Cairo,  Kentucky  was 
pursuing  that  policy  which  proved  so  ruinous  to  her.  She  was  attempt- 
ing to  enforce  a  strict  neutrality  with  reference  to  the  war.  Parties 
were  organized.  No  efforts  were  made  to  prevent  disloyal  men  from 
organizing  companies,  and  committing  hostilities.  The  State  was  soon 
filled  with  rebels  against  the  government.  Several  scouting  parties 
were  sent  from  Cairo  into  Kentucky  for  the  purpose  of  scattering 
those  parties  and  watching  their  movements.  In  most  of  these,  the 
9th  111.  Lift.,  was  represented  by  detachments. 

In  July,  an  expedition  which  was  under  command  of  Col.  J.  J. 
Morgan  of  the  10th  111.,  and  which  consisted  of  twelve  companies,  and 
one  section  of  artillery,  was  sent  to  Indian  Creek,  Mo.,  to  break  up  an 
organization  of  Rebels  encamped  at  that  place.  The  expedition  was 
made  up  of  detachments  from  each  of  the  regiments  in  camp  at  Cairo 
at  that  time.  The  9th  111.  was  represented  by  Companies  C  and  H. 


THE    NINTH   REGIMENT.  11 

The  Rebels  prowled  about  in  Missouri  and  Kentucky,  and  there 
were  frequent  rumors  of  attacks  to  be  made  upon\Cairo.  But  the  three 
months  rolled  past  without  any  attack. 

There  are  some  incidents  that  occurred  during  this  period,  worthy 
of  notice  here.  One  of  them  occurred  with  our  present  highly  esteemed 
Surgeon,  Dr.  Guilick.  He  was  then  a  private  in  the  Regiment.  One 
day  he  was  stationed  to  guard  a  powder  magazine.  It  was  an  impor- 
tant post.  The  Dr.  had  served  in  the  army  in  Germany.  He  knew 
a  picket  should  never  leave  his  post  until  relieved  from  duty.  The  rule 
for  picket,  is  two  hours  on  duty  and  four  off,  during  the  twenty-four. 
The  first  two  hours  passed  away,  no  relief  came.  Two  hours  more 
passed.  He  supposed  that  surely  at  that  change  he  would  be  relieved. 
Still  no  relief  came.  Another  two  hours  passed.  Still  no  relief.  Re* 
lief-hour  after  relief-hour  passed.  But  no  relief  for  the  Dr.  He 
began  to  feel  the  need  of  his  dinner,  but  no  relief  came,  and  he  stuck 
to  his  powder.  That  article  was  an  important  item  in  warfare,  and  he 
was  determined  to  guard  it.  Night  was  drawing  near;  still  no  relief. 
Its  quiet  hours  passed  by,  and  still  no  relief  came.  The  morning 
dawned,  and  there  it  beheld  the  Dr.  tramping  faithfully  his  beat,  won- 
dering. I  suppose,  if  there  was  no  ralicf.  The  twenty-four  hours  rolled 
round,  and  the  Dr.  was  there  still,  having  had  nothing  to  eat  and  nothing 
to  drink.  Another  thing  which  caused  the  time  to  pass  heavily  with  him, 
like  almost  all  Germans,  in  fact  almost  all  soldiers,  he  was  very  fond  of  his 
pipe.  But  there  was  the  powder  he  was  guarding,  and  it  was  not  safe  \ 
to  have  fire  near  it.  At  the  end  of  the  twenty-four  hours  he  was 
relieved.  Our  worthy  Dr.  has  been  with  the  Regiment  ever  since.  He 
is  still  faithful  to  his  post.  He  still  carries  out  his  tenacity  in  sticking 
to  his  post  until  relieved.  There  is  only  one  thing,  so  far  as  I  know, 
that  will  cause  the  Dr.  to  abandon  his  proper  post.  When  the  Regi- 
ment is  engaged  in  battle,  unless  there  is  immediate  need  for  him  in 
the  rear  to  care  for  the  wounded,  he  will  leave  his  post,  as  a  non-com- 
batant, and  seeking  some  position  in  the  advance,  he  is  seen  deliberately 
firing  away  at  the  enemy  with  his  revolver.  If  there  is  a  man  wounded 
he  hastens  to  the  rear  to  attend  to  him.  That  done,  and  he  is  off 
again  to  his  firing-post. 

Another  incident.  I  think  it  occurred  during  the  three  months' 
service.  At  any  rate  it  was  during  some  scout.  The  camp  was  in  an 
old  cornfield,  on  a  hill-side.  The  only  place  the  boys  could  well  lay 
was  in  the  hollows  between  the  corn  rows.  Col.  Phillips  (then  Major) 
made  his  bed  between  two  corn  rows. .  He  laid  one  gum  blanket  un- 
derneath him,  and  another  over  him.  As  it  was  beginning  to  rain,  he 


12  A   HISTORY   OF 

covered  his  face  with  his  gum  blanket,  gathering  it  carefully  under  his 
head.  During  the  night  it  rained  heavily;  but  the  Major  slept  on. 
When  he  awoke  in  the  morning  and  attempted  to  uncover  his  head, 
the  first  attempt  to  remove  the  blanket  failed.  By  a  more  determined 
effort  he  succeeded,  But  oh,  horrible!  The  water  had  run  down  'the 
furrow,  sweeping  the  mud  before  it.  It  had  been  piled  up  against  his 
head,  the  blanket  keeping  him  dry.  But  instantly  on  raising  the 
blanket,  rush  came  mud  and  water  over  his  face  and  head !  If  he  had 
only  had  sense  enough  to  commence  uncovering  at  the  other  end,  he 
might  have  crept  out  snug  and  dry,  although  the  water  had  been 
pouring  down  on  both  sides  of  him.  The  Col.  has  since  manifested 
much  skill  in  fighting  a  retreat  with  his  regiment.  But  it  seems  he 
had  not  yet  learned  the  art  of  retreating,  for  he  seemed  determined  in 
spite  of  all  opposition,  to  go  it,  head  foremost.  But  he  conquered,  and 
had  the  consolation  of  knowing  that  his  severest  wounds  were  in  th'e 
face;  and  although  naturally  very  careful  of  his  good-looking  face,  I 
.  doubt  not  he  would  rather  be  wounded  there  than  in  the  back.  Save 
a  brave  man  always  from  being  wounded  in  the  back. 

Still  another  incident.  I^ats  had  become  very  abundant  in  town 
and  around  the  camps.  In  fact,  rats,  fleas  and  mosquitoes  were  the 
principal  enemies  with  which  our  boys  had  then  to  contend.  |  The  side 
walks  in  town  were  made  of  plank.  Under  these  was  a  beautiful  place 
for  the  rats  to  run  and  play.  Sergeant  Williford  (now  Captain)  was 
Sergeant  of  the  guard  in  the  town  one  night.  That  he  might  have 
something  to  do,  by  which  'he  could  while  away  the  dull  hours  of  the 
night,  he  armed  himself  with  an  old  cavalry  sabre  and  took  his  position 
at  a  point  where  there  was  a  break  in  the  side-walk,  there  to  watch  the 
movements  of  the  enemy.  They  had  to  pass  through  this  opening,  and 
as  one  after  another  made  his  appearance,  each  met  a  death  blow  from 
the  Sergeant's  sabre.  He  has  now  no  knowledge  of  the  multitude  of 
the  slain,  as  he  ceased  to  count  the  dead.  I  know  not  but  that  the 
grand  strategy  by  which  he  here  deceived  the  enemy  and  the  multi- 
tudes slain  on  that  night,  were  the  beginning  of  his  rise  which  has 
resulted  in  his  present  commanding  position. 

The  Regiment  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  on  the  25th  day  of 
July,  1861.  Because  of  the  aspect  of  affairs  in  Missouri,  but  a  small 
number  of  troops  could  be  sent  to  Cairo,  111.,  to  take  the  place  of  the 
six  regiments  from  Illinois,  whose  term  of  service  was  about  to  expire. 
Consequently  an  application  was  made  by  Gen.  Prentiss  to  the  Com- 
mander-in-chief, for  permission  to  re-organize  those  six  regiments  in  the 
field.  This  permission  was  granted;  the  re-organization  of  the  several 


THE    NINTH   REGIMENT.  13 

regiments  was  perfected,  and  the  regiments  recruited:  The  application 
made  to  the  authorities  for  this  permission  was  telegraphed,  and  granted 
in  a  dispatch  from  General  Scott. 


CHAPTER    II. 

FROM   THE    RE-ORGANIZATION  TO  TIME  OF  LEAVING  PADUCAH. 

Re-organization — Roster  of  officers — Drill  at  Cairo — Change  to  Pa- 
diicah — Promotions  and  assignments  to  duty — Attack  on  Saratoga — 
Reconnoisance  towards  Columbus  by  1st  Brigade — Commissions — 
Reconnoisance  towards  Fort  Henry — Regiment  paid — Incidents. 

As  will  be  seen  from  the  preceding  chapter,  the  9th  111.  Inft.  was 
mustered  out  of  the  service  on  the  25th  of  July,  1861,  and  an  order 
dispatched  from  Gen.  Scott  granting  permission  to  re-organize  it.  It 
was  consequently  organized  for  the  three  years'  service,  at  Cairo,  111., 
and  mustered  into  the  service  for  three  years,  unless  sooner  discharged, 
on  the  28th  day  of  July,  1861.  The  Regiment  reported  for  duty  on 
the  same  day  to  Brig.  General  B.  M.  Prentiss,  commanding  the  forces 
at  Cairo,  111. 

The  field,  staff,  and  line  officers  were  "mustered  in"  as  follows: 

Colonel— E.  A.  Paine,  July  26th,  1861. 

Lieut,  (lol.— Aug.  Mersy,  ""       "  " 

Major.— Jesse  J.  Phillips,  "  "  " 

Surgeon.— S.  M.  Hamilton,  "  "  " 

Assistant  Surgeon. — Emil  Guelick,  "       "  " 

Adjutant.— Thos.  J.  Newsham,  "  "  " 

Regt.  Quartermaster. — Win.  G.  Pinckard,  Aug.  26th,  1861. 

Chaplain. — James  J.  Ferree,  July  26th,  " 

Co.  A.— Captain,  John  H.  Kuhn,  "  "  " 

—1st  Lieutenant,  Emil  Adam,  "  "  " 

"     — 2d  Lieutenant,  E.  J.  Weyrich,  "  "  " 
Co.  B. — Captain,  Wni.  C.  Kneffner, 

"     — 1st  Lieutenant,  Hamilton  Lieber, 

— 2d  Lieutenant,  Fred.  Vogler,  "  "  " 

Co.  C.— Captain,  D.  F.  Tiedeman,  "  "  " 

"      —1st  Lieutenant,  (Hear  Rollmann,  "  "  " 

— 2d  Lieutenant,  Chas.  Schevir,  "  "  " 

Co.  D. — Captain,  Rodolph  Beckier,  "  "  " 

"     — 1st  Lieutenant,  Edward  Krebbs,  Aug.  10th,  " 

"     — 2d  Lieutenant,  Wm.  Bohlen,  "  "  " 


14  A    HISTORY    OP 

Co.  E.— Captain,  Alex.  G.  Hawes.  July  26th.  1861. 

«*     — 1st  .Lieutenant,  Wm.  I).  Craig,  Aug.    6th,  " 

"     — 2d  Lieutenant,  II.  B.  Patterson,  July  20th,  " 

Co.  F. — Captain.  Loren  Webb, 
u     —1st  Lieutenant,  Win.  Britt, 
"     — 2d  Lieutenant,  Geo.  W.  Williford,     •'        " 

Co.  (>.— Captain.  Edgar  M.  Lowe,  "       "  " 

"     —1st  Lieutenant,  John  S.  Sutten,  "        " 

"     — 2d  Lieutenant.  Isaac  Clements,  "       " 

Co.  II. — Captain,  Wni.  F.  Armstrong,  ';        "  " 

«     — 1st  Lieutenant.  Cy.  H.  Gillmore,  "       "  " 

«     — 2d  Lieutenant,  Alfred  Cowgill,  "        "  " 

Co.    I.— Captain,  Jas.  G.  Robinson,  "       "  <: 

«<     — 1st  Lieutenant,  Wm.  Purviance,  July  31st,  " 

"     —  2d  Lieutenant.  S.  T.  Hughes,  "        "  " 

Co.  K.— Captain,  Geo.  B.  Poor,  July  26th,  " 

«     — 1st  Lieutenant,  John  L.  A.  Reeves,    "       "  " 

"     —  2d  Lieutenant,  Jas.  C.  McCIcry,  "       "  " 

After  the  re-organization  of  the  Regiment,  it  remained  at  Cairo.  111.,, 
until  September  5th,  1861.  During  this  time  they  were  principally 
engaged  in  doing  guard  duty  and  drilling.  The  great  matter  was  to 
have  men  well  drilled.  War  was  a  now  occupation  to  most  of  them. 
They  were  men  who  had  been  spending  their  lives  quietly  at  home  on 
their  farms,  behind  their  counters,  in  their  offices,  and  among  their 
tools  in -the  work-shop..  The  peaceful  walks  of  life  were  those  they 
Were  accustomed  to  tread.  When  their  country  was  threatened  by 
those  who  would  destroy  it,  at  the  call  of  that  country,  they  left  those 
peaceful  walks  and  rushed  to  its  defence.  It  was  new  work,  and  they 
must  be  trained  for  it.  Much  patient  drill  must  be  passed  through. 
The  officers  themselves,  many  of  them,  must  learn  what  a  military  lift 
is,  and  how  to  do  its  work.  The  men  must,  day  after  day.  endure 
the  patient  drill.  They  must  learn  the  picket's  duty,  and  how  to  per- 
form it.  They  must  learn  that  while  on  picket  each  picket  is.  for  th* 
time  being,  commander-in-chief  of  his  post.  When  he  cries  '•Halt/'' 
his  order  is  law.  No  Captain;  no  Colonel;  no  General,  dare  di&obey 
it,  unless  he  has  his  pass  or  can  give^fce  "countersign/'  A  Corporal 
in  Co.  E,  once  narrated  to  me  his  first  experience  in  picket  duty.  II« 
was  handling  his  gun  rather  awkwardly.  The  officer  of  the  guard 
came  along  and  reproved  him  for  his  awkwardness.  "  Let  me  have 
your  gun,  sir,  until  I  show  you  how  to  hold  it."  Anxious  to  learn 
every  part  of  a  soldier's  duty,  in  all  the  simplicity  of  his  heart,  h* 


THE    NINTHI  REGIMENT.  15 

handed  his  gun  over  to  the  officer.  "Now,  sir,  wl»a£^re  you  going  to- 
do  for  your  gun  ?  Suppose  I  was  the  enemy,  what  kind  of  a  fix  would 
you  be  in  ?"  He  at  once  saw  the  embarrassment  of  his  position.  "  Did 
you  ever  stand  picket  before  ?"•  ;i  No,  sir."  '•  On  that  account  you  are 
excusable;  but  on  no  other.  Never  give  up  your  gun  again;  no  officer, 
no  General  has  Jany  right  to  it."  It  was  a  wholesome  lesson.  He 
profited  by  it.  From  that  time  forward,  no  man  ever  got  his  gun  when 
on  picket. 

On  the  5th  day  of  September,  1861,  the  Regiment  left  Cairo,  111., 
embarked  on  a  steamer  and  moved  up  the  Ohio  River  to  Paducah,  Kyr 
Here  it  occupied  the  advance  position  on  the  Columbus  road. 

Col.  E.  A.  Paine  was  promoted  to  be  Brigadier  General,  SeptembeT 
3d,  and  Lieut.  Col.  August  Mersy  being  absent.  Major  Jesse  J.  Phillips 
assumed  command  of  the  Regiment. 

On  the  8th  day  of  September,  1861,  Brig.  Gen.  C.  F.  Smith  relieved 
Brig.  Gen.  Paine  of  the  command  at  Paducah,  and  Lieut.  Col.  Mersy 
returned  and  relieved  Major  Phillips  of  the  command  of  the  Regiment, 

Adjutant  Newsham  was  detached  as  Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  Gen- 
eral, and  Quartermaster  Pinckard  as  Acting  Assistant  Quartermaster, 

About  the  20th  of  September.  Brig.  Gen.  Paine  was  assigned  to  the 
command  of  the  1st  Brigade.  This  Brigade  consisted  of  the  following" 
regiments:  9th  111.  Inft.,  12th  111.  Inft.,  40th  111.  Lift..  41st  111.  Lift,, 
Buel's  Battery,  and  Thielmann's  Independent  Cavalry  Battalion.  Lieut. 
Adam,  of  Co.  A,  9th  Regt.,  was  detached  as  Act.  Assist.  Adj.  Gen.  of 
the  1st  Brigade. 

On  the  3d  day  of  October,  1&61,  Adjutant  Nusham  was  promoted  to 
be  Captain  and  Assistant  Adjutant  General,  and  assigned  to  duty  011 
Gen.  Smith's  staff. 

By  this  time  the  boys  were  getting  anxious  for  a  fight.  To  use  & 
common  expression,  they  were  "  spoiling  for  a  fight."  They  felt  thul 
now  they  were  ready  to  fight  with  and  conquer  the  whole  South.  Oa 
October  15th,  1861,  a  portion  of  the  Regiment  had  an  opportunity  to 
try  their  pluck.  Major  Phillips,  with  Companies  B,  H,  and  I,  filled  to 
their  maximum  by  details  from  other  companies,  with  Lieut.  Patterson 
as  aid  to  commanding  officer,  moved  up  the  Cumberland  River  above 
Eddyville,  where  they  disembarked.  It  was  ascertained  that  a  detach- 
ment of  300  rebel  cavalry  were  in  camp  at  Saratoga.  Major  Phillip* 
moved  upon  them,  surprised  and  completely  routed  them;  killing  from 
10  to  15,  wounding  from  25  to  30,  and  capturing  20.  Major  Phillips' 
detachment  had  Capt.  Kncffner  slightly  wounded,  and  Corporal  Greblig 
of  Co.  B,  and  private  Gatcwood  of  Co.  K,  severely  wounded.  It  r«- 


16  A   HISTORY   OF 

turned  to  camp  on  the  16th  of  October,  bringing  in  the  prisoners  and 
a  large  amount  of  captured  property. 

First  Lieutenant  John  L.  A.  Reeves,  of  Co.  K,  resigned,  and  his 
resignation  was  accepted  October  2d,  1861. 

On  the  6th  day  of  November,  1861,  the  1st  Brigade,  Brig.  General 
Paine  commanding,  moved  on  the  Columbus  road  to  Mayfield  Creek, 
and  bivouacked  for<  the  night.  The  next  day  they  moved  forward  to 
Milburn,  Ky.,  31  miles  from  Paducah,  and  11  miles  from  Columbus, 
bivouacked  there  for  the  night,  and  commenced  the  return  march  by 
daylight  on  the  8th.  Reached  camp  at  Paducah  by  2  P.  M.,  of  the 
9th.  This  was  about  the  first  heavy  marching  the  boys  had  undergone. 
It  was  very  fatiguing.  There  was  a  disposition  to  straggle.  To  prevent- 
it,  in  the  9th,  a  rear  guard  was  appointed,  which  compelled  all  to  keep 
their  places.  This,  some  of  the  boys  who  were  very  tired,  no  doubt 
thought  to  be  cruel.  But  the  result  was,  the  9th  Regiment  carne  into 
camp  in  Paducah  in  splendid  order,  while  the  40th  and  41st  111.  Regi- 
ments seemed  to  have  lost  their  organization  altogether  on  the  return 
inarch,  and  came  straggling  into  camp  in  small  squads,  during  the  entire 
days  of  the  9th  and  10th.  Gen.  Smith  issued  an  order  highly  com- 
mending the  9th  for  their  orderly  conduct,  and  condemning  those 
Regiments  which  returned  in  such  disorder.  This  pleased  our  boys  so 
much,  that  they  almost  forgot  their  heavy  marching,  and  there  was  no 
more  complaining  about  rigid  discipline. 

On  the  9th  of  September,  1861,  Capt.  John  H.  Kuhn  was  appointed 
Provost  Marshal  of  Paducah,  and  his  Co.  (A)  was  detached  to  act  as 
Provost  Guard. 

December  2nd,  1861,  commissions  arrived  as  follows:  For  Lieut. 
Col.  Aug.  Mersy  to  be  Colone  ;  Major  Jesse  J.  Phillips  to  be  Lieuten- 
ant Colonel;  Capt.  John  H.  Kuhn  to  be  Major;  1st  Lieut.  Ernil  Adam 
to  be  Captain,  and  2d  Lieut.  E.  J.  Weyrich  to  be  1st  Lieutenant  of 
Co.  A.  On  the  5th  of  December,  Sergeant  Scheel,  of  Co.  F,  received 
a  commission  as  2d  Lieutenant  of  Co.  A,  but  was  assigned  to  duty  in 
Co.  D,  2d  .Lieut.  Bohlen  of  that  Co.  having  been  transferred  to  Co.  A. 

Capt.  Geo.  B.  Poor,  of  Co.  K,  resigned,  and  his  resignation  was  ac- 
cepted on  the  10th  of  December.  First  Lieutenant  E.  J.  Weyrich,  of 
Co.  A,  resigned  on  the  25th  of  December. 

Capt.  Armstrong,  of  Co.  H,  was  appointed  Provost  Marshal,  to  re- 
lieve Major  Kuhn,  and  his  Co.  (H)  relieved  Co.  A,  as  Provost  Guard, 
on  the  6th  of  December,  1861. 

On  the  15th  of  January,  1862,  the  entire  force  at  Paducah,  except 
the  40th  111.,  moved  towards  Yiola,  13  miles,  and  bivouacked  for  th« 


THE   NINTH  'REGIMENT.  1 

Slight  at  Hickory  Creek.  Brig.  Gen.  C.  F.  Smith  commanded  the  Di- 
vision in  person.  Col.  Me  Arthur,  of  the  12th  111.  Inft.,  was  in  com- 
mand of  the  1st 'Brigade,  and  Brig..  Gen.  Lew.  Wallace,  of  the  2d 
Brigade.  The  Division  was  about  5,000  strong.  On  the  15th,  moved 
to  Mayfield  Creek,  28  miles  from  Paducah.  On  the  17th,  the  command 
marched  23  miles  to  Clark's  River,  and  bivouacked  for  the  night  on  its 
banks.  On  the  18th  and  19th,  owing  to  rain  and  mud,  the  command 
moved  a  very  short  distance.  It  reached  Callow&y  Landing,  on  the 
Tennessee  River,  20  miles  below  Fort  Henry,  on  the  22d  of  January. 
Finding  no  enemy  in  that  vicinity,  and  none  nearer  than  Fort  Henry, 
the  command  returned  to  camp  at  Paducah,  Ky.,  arriving  there  Jan- 
uary 25th,  1862.  It  had  marched  altogether,  during  the  reconnoisance, 
125  miles.  The  most  that  was  accomplished,  was  accustoming  the  men 
to  hard  marches. 

Second  Lieutenant  Wm,  Bohlen,  resigned,  aad  his  resignation  was 
accepted  on  the  31st  day  of  January,  1862.  On  the  same  day  a  com- 
mission arrived  for  private  Henry  H.  Klock,  of  Co.  F,  to  be  1st  Lieu- 
tenant and  Adjutant,  to  rank  from  October  3d,  1861,  the  date  of  Ad- 
jutant Newsham's  promotion. 

Major  I.  N.  Cook  paid  the  Regiment  up  to  January  1st,  1862.  It 
had  been  previously  paid  by  Major  G.  P,  E.  Johnston,  to  September 
1st,  1861. 

During  the  time  the  Regiment  was  in  camp  at  Paducah,  some  inci- 
dents of  interest  occurred.  All  were  longmg  fol*  an  adventure  of  some 
kind.  The  routine  of  camp  life  was  becoming  wearisome.  One  day 
Major  Phillips,  of  the  9th  111.  Inft.,  and  Major  McDonald,  of  the  8th 
Mo.  Inft.,  rode  outside  the  pickets.  After  they  had  rode  out  two  or 
three  miles,  Major  McDonald  remembered  that  he  had  an  old  acquaint* 
ance  living  ten  or  twelve  miles  out  that  road.  It  Was  proposed  and 
agreed  upon,  that  they  would  ride  out  and  see  him.  Before  reaching 
there,  they  passed  where  the  enemy  had  their  picket  fires  the  night 
before.  Things  looked  suspicious.  A  rebel  soldier  was  seen  riding  up 
to  'a  neighboring  house.  They  proposed  to  go  and  take  him.  But 
their  friend  with  whom  they  stopped,  insisted  on  their  not  doing  it, 
saying  that  if  any  fuss  occurred  there,  they  would  burn  his  house  at 
once,  as  they  were  threatening  him  anyhow,  because,  of  his  Union  sen- 
timents. Dinner  was  ready  in  a  short  time,  and  they  must  stay  for 
dinner.  Major  Phillips,  always  disposed  to  watch  rebs.  closely,  proposed 
to  stand  picket  while  the  rest  were  eating.  He  then  hurriedly  drank  a 
cup  of  coffee,  and  they  mounted  their  horses  and  started  for  camp.  In 
a,  short  time  they  saw  two  cavalry  men  riding  before  them.  Taking 
[3] 


18  A   HISTORY   OF 

them  to  be  rebels,  they  gave  them  chase.  Major  Phillips,  mounted  OR 
a  splendid  horse,  soon  came  close  on  them.  Suddenly  they  checked  up, 
wheeled  around,  and  drew  their  sabres.  Before  our  Major  could  check 
his  horse,  he  was  close  upon  them.  With  pistol  drawn,  he  inquired 
what  command  they  belonged  to.  The  reply  was,  "  Thielman's  Cavalry.'' 
The  Major  mistook  it  for  Tilman's  (Rebel)  Cavalry.  He  inquired  the 
second  time.  The  same  reply  came,  and  he  labored  under  the  same 
mistake.  By  this  time  Major  McDonald  came  fairly  up,  and  they  de- 
manded the  surrender  of  the  two  men,  and  they  surrendered.  At  this 
point,  they  saw  a  short  distance  from  them,  about  25  men  coming  towards 
them.  They  felt  that  they  were  in  a  close  place.  Says  Major  McDonald 
to  Phillips,  "  What  shall  we  do  with  these*  two  men?  shoot  them?" 
"No;  we  will  take  them  with  us,  and  if  they  don't  keep  up,  then  we 
will  shoot  thein/7  was  the  reply.  Says  Major  Phillips,  "I  would  give 
a  horse  to  be  in  Paducah."  "Paducah!"  says  one  of  the  prisoners; 
"we  belong  there,  too.  We  are  Willson's  Dragoons."  The  mistake 
arose  from  the  fact  that  the  Rebels  had  a  band  of  c.avalry,  known  as. 
Tilman's  Cavalry,  while  the  Federals  had  a  battalion  of  cavalry,  known 
as  Thielman's  Cavalry.  The  prisoners  being  Germans,  the  one  was 
mistaken  for  the  other.  This  matter  explained,  their  prisoners  were 
released,  and  they  returned  to  camp.  Having  reached  camp,  Major 
Phillips  reported  to  Gen.  Smith,  when  the  following  interview  took  place. 
I  give  the  substance: 

"General."  ."Well,  Major."  "General,  having  permission  to  go 
outside  of  the  pickets  to-day,  I  gained  some  valuable  information,  which 
I  thought  the  good  of  the  service  required  that  I  should  report  to  you." 
"  How  many  men  had  you,  Major  ?"  "  General, "(afraid  to  confess  there 
were  but  two,)  "Major  McDonald  was  in  command  of  the  expedition." 
"  How  many  men  had  Major  McDonald  ?"  "  I  was  wrUji  him."  "  But, 
sir,  how  many  men  did  you  have?"  Finding  the  truth  must  come,  he 
replied,  "The  Major  commanded  me,  and'I  commanded  him."  "Well, 
sir,  you  both  deserve  to  be  punished,  and  if  you  had  shot  those  two  menf 
I  should  have  had  you  both  cashiered.  But  as  it  is,  I  will  let  it  pass. 
What  is  the  valuable  information  you  have  gained ?"  "I  learn,  at  a 
certain  point,  a  Rebel  company  is  to  be  organized  on  to-morrow." 
"Well,  sir,  as  you  are  fond  of  adventure,  you  will  take  a  detachment 
of  forty  men,  and  proceed  to  that  point  and  disperse  or  capture  them." 
But  as  the  next  day  was  very  rainy,  the  expedition  was  abandoned. 

Another  incident.  Major  Phillips  and  Captain  Kuhn  rode  outside 
the  pickets  late  in  the  evening.  After  getting  outside  the  pickets,  they 
saw  some  fresh  wagon-tracks.  Captain  Kuhn,  who  was  then  acting 


THE    NINTH   REGIMENT.  19 

Provost  Marshal,  said  that  there  were  two  wagdn'sjoadcd,  that  went  out, 
of  which  he  was  suspicious,  but  that  with  his  instructions  he  could  not 
examine  them.  They  concluded  to  follow  them.  They  had  gone  but 
a  short  distance  until  the  road  forked,  and  there,  were  fresh  tracks  on 
each  road.  The  Major  took  one  road,  and  the  Captain  took  the  other. 
The  Major  soon  came  in  sight  of  them,  and  pushing  on,  came  up  with 
them.  On  inquiring  what  they  were  loaded  with,  he  was  told  that  they 
were  some  groceries  for  a  store  in  the  country.  Things  looking  sus- 
picious, he  procured  an  ax  and  broke  open  some  of  the  boxes,  and 
found  that  it  was  a  regular  lot  of  military  stores.  By  this  time  Captain 
Kuhn  came  up,  and  after  a  little  consultation,  they  concluded  to  let 
them  go  on,  and  told  them  that  all  was  right,  they  could  go  on.  They 
returned  immediately  to  town.  They  had  gone  out  about  five  miles. 
On  their  return,  the  Major  again  presented  himself  to  General  Smith. 
"General."  "Well,  Major."  "General,  Captain  Kuhn  and  myself 
rode  outside  of  the  pickets,  this  evening.  After  getting  out  a  short 
distance,  we  saw  wagon-tracks,  which  were  suspicious.  We  followed 
them  a  few  miles  and  came  up  with  them,  and  I  am  satisfied  they  are 
loaded  with  goods  to  supply  a  rebel  camp.  We  did  not  bring  them  in, 
from  the  fact  that  the  Captain's  instructions,  as  Provost  Marshal,  would 
not  justify  him  in  doing  it."  "Another  of  your  fool-hardy  dashes, 
Major."  "Yes,  General;  but  I  thought  the  good  of  the  service  demand- 
ed it."  "Well,  sir,  how  many  men  will  you  have  to  bring  those  wagons 
in  to-night?"  "Five  men,  General."  "Adjutant,  make  a  detail  for 
five  men,  to  report  here  immediately  for  duty."  The  men  came,  and 
the  Major  started  on  his  expedition.  He  overtook  the  wagons,  which 
had  been  driving  on  all  night,  and  brought  them  back  to  Paducah,  and 
turned  them  over^  to  the  Quartermaster. 

Still  another  incident.  Citizens  were  frequently  coming  into  town. 
There  was  not  much  difficulty  in  getting  in,  but  they  could  not  go  out 
again  without  a  pass.  One  young  fellow  from  Kentucky,  having,  as  h$ 
supposed,  some  of  the  noble  blood  in  him,  said  he  would  not  apply  for 
a  pass.  He  said  the  "  niggers"  had  'to  have  passes,  and  he  was  not  going 
to  put  himself  on  an  equality  with  "  niggers."  So  he  refused  to  apply 
for  a  pass.  After  staying  in  town  a  few  days,  he  made  an  attempt  or 
two  to  run  the  pickets,  and  as  a  consequence,  was  put  in  the  guard- 
house. After  staying  in  town  a  month  or  two,  the  young  nobleman 
was  compelled  to  put  himself  on  an  equality  with  the  "niggers,"  and 
apply  for  a  pass. 

Still  another.  When  out  on  a  scout,  at  a  time  when  every  house 
would  be  guarded  as  the  troops  were  passing,  and  not  a  chicken  or  goose 


20  A   HISTORY   OF 

must  be  toucKed,  the  Quartermaster  went  into  a  house  to  purchase  some 
chickens  for  his  mess.  The  woman  refused  to  sell  any.  "Well,"  says 
he,  "  we  must  have  something  to  eat.  If  you  wont  sell  your  chickens, 
we  will  steal  your  geese."  "If  I  sell  you  some  chickens,  sir,  will  you 
swear  that  you  won't  steal  my  geese?"  He  promised  he  would.  Two 
or  three  chickens  were  caught  for  him,  and  then  the  old  lady  got  upon 
a  chair  and  reached  down  an  old  Bible  for  him  to  swear  on,  that  he 
would  not  steal  her  geese.  I  guess  he  swore  for  her,  but  not  very 
reverendly. 

One  more  incident.  Perhaps  on  the  same  scout  as  the  above,  it  was 
suspected  that  Company  K  had  stolen  a  goose.  Col.  Mersy  got  wind  of 
it.  He  addresses  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips  as  follows:  "Col.  Phillips,  I 
tink  Co.  K  steal  one  coose.  You  take  de  charge  de  right  wing,  while 
I  goes  to  see."  The  Col.  rode  off  to  Co.  K,  but  could  find  no  goose. 
He  returned  to  the  command,  thinking,  I  suppose,  that  Co.  K  was  "all 
right  on  the  goose." 

That  day  is  now  passed  in  the  army.  As  our  army  now  marches 
along,  the  boys  Weary  and  suffering  for  water,  there  is  not  a  guard  sta- 
tioned at  every  well  to  prevent  their  quenching  their  thirst.  When 
they  are  hungry,  if  chickens  and  geese  are  convenient,  they  are  not 
interfered  with  if  they  try  to  catch  them/  Often  have  I  seen  our  boy  a 
coming  in  from  a  scout,  many  of  them  having  a  chicken  or  a  goose 
swinging  at  each  side  of  their  saddle. 


CHAPTER  IIL5    ,.-  ;r  ... 

FROM   PADUCAH    TO    PITTSBURG 


Preparations  for  opening  the  Cumberland,  Tennessee  and  Mississippi 
Rivers^-Fort  Henry  taken  —  Fort  Donelson  taken  —  Part  taken  by 
•    9th  Ills.,  number  killed  and  wounded-^  —  List  of  killed  and  wounded  — 
Trip  to  Nashville  and  back  —  Incidents. 

At  the  opening  of  the  year  1862,  it  was  becoming  evident  that  to 
flrush  the  "hideous  monster"  rebellion,  would  require  a  great  effort  on 
tne  part  of  the  government.  While  our  armies  were  being  raised  and 
disciplined,  the  rebels  were  planting  themselves  firmly  at  many  points 
in  the  South-west,  as  well  as  the  East.  Columbus,  Island  No.  10, 
Memphis,  Vicksburg,  Port  Hudson,  and  other  points  on  the  Mississippi 
River,  were  being  strongly  fortified.  Fort  Henry  and  Fort  Donelson 
were  fortified,  and  commanded  the  entrance  of  the  Cumberland  and 
Tennessee  Rivers.  General  Fremont  had  urged  the  early  occupation 


THE    NINTH   REGIMENT.  21 

of  these  points,  before  the  enemy  should  fortify  them.  But  for  some 
reason,  (I  suppose  a  good  one  on  the  part  of  the  government,)  the  enemy 
were  allowed  to  make  these  points  strong-holds.  Magnificent  prepara- 
tions were  making,  however,  to  take  possession  of  these  rivers,  by  the 
government,  as  great  national  thoroughfares.  Gunboats,  floating  bat- 
teries &c.,  were  being  built  with  that  view.  These  were  brought  to 
bear,  early  in  1862,  on  the  work  of  opening  the  Cumberland  and  Ten- 
nessee Rivers,  and  dislodging  the  enemy  of  their  strong-holds  on  these 
rivers.  A  heavy  land  force  must  of  course  co-operate  with  the  fleet.  In 
this  work,  the  9th  111.  Lift,  was  destined  to  act  a  conspicuous  part. 
The  material  for  the  greater  portion  of  its  history  is  found  in  the  part 
it  has  taken  in  subduing  the  rebellion  in  Tennessee,  Mississippi  and 
Alabama.  At  Cairo  and  at  Paducah  its  work  of  discipline  had  been 
carried  on  until  it  was  well  prepared  for  meeting  the  enemy  on  the  field, 
It  left  Paducah,  a  large  and  well-drilled  Regiment. 

On  the  evening  of  February  4th,  1862,  Companies  A,  B,  C,  D  and  E, 
under  command  of  Col.  Mersy,  struck  tents  at  Paducah,  and  embarked 
on  board  the  steamer  ''Wilson/'  with  camp  and  garrison  equipage. 
This  wing  of  the  Regiment  moved  up  the  Tennessee  River  the  same 
night,  and  reported  to  Brig.  Gen.  John  A.  McClernand  at  Brown's 
Landing.  The  remainder  of  the  Regiment,  (except  Co.  H,  Provost 
Guard,)  under  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips,  came  up  on  the  steamer 
*'  B,"  on  the  evening  of  the  5th  February.  The  two  wings  of  the  Regi- 
ment formed  a  junction  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Tennessee  River,  five 
miles  below  Fort  Henry,  on  the  night  of  the  5th.  They  moved  up  the 
river  towards  Fort  Heiman,  on  the  6th,  reaching  and  occupying  the 
Fort  the  same  night.  Brig.  Gen.  Smith's  Division  had  left  Paducah, 
and  passed  up  the  river  to  this  point.  They  did  not  reach  here  in  time 
to  participate  in  the  engagement.  Fort  Henry  was  reduced  by  the 
gunboats  alone,  none  of  the  infantry  taking  part  in  the  engagement. 

"\Yhen  Fort  Henry  surrendered,  the  enemy  quartered  at  Fort  Heiman 
evacuated  the  place,  leaving  behind  them  all  their  camp  and  garrison 
equipage. 

Brig.  Gen.  Smith's  Division  was  ordered  to  move  across  the  river  and 
garrison  Fort  Henry,  on  the  7th.  But  the  heavy  rains  had  swollen  the 
Tennessee  River  to  such  an  extent  that  it  was  impossible  to  reach  the 
boats,  in  order  to  cross.  Hence,  a  Division  already  on  that  side  of  the 
river  was  assigned  to  that  duty.  • 

It  was  the  high  stage  of  water,  and  the  consequent  difficulty  of  land* 
ing,  that  prevented  the  land  forces  from  co-operating  with  the  gunboats 
in  the  attack  against  Fort  Henry.  Had  they  been  permitted  to  co- 


22  A   HISTORY   OP 

operate  as  designed,  they  would  have  been  able  to  cut  off  the  retreat 
of  the  enemy,  and  capture  the  whole  force.  This  would  have  prevented 
the  reinforcement  at  Fort  Donelson,  and  made  the  engagement  there 
less  sanguinary.  But  perhaps  the  victory  would  not  have  been  any 
more  complete  than  it  was. 

The  enemy  that  had  evacuated  Forts  Henry  and  Heiman  fell  back 
and  strengthened  Fort  Donelson.  The  next  thing  in  the  programme, 
was  to  reduce  Fort  Donelso'n.  The  gunboats  consequently  were  to 
descend  the  Tennessee  River  and  ascend  the  Cumberland,  while  the 
land  forces  would  march  across  the  country,  only  twelve  miles,  and 
attack  in  the  rear.  In  accordance  with  this  plan,  Gen.  Smith's  Division, 
still  camped  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  on  the  12th  of  February, 
1862,  crossed  the  river  with  two  days'  rations,  and  no  transportation, 
and  moved  towards  Fort  Donelson  and  bivouacked  for  the  night  about 
four  miles  from  that  place.  At  11  o'clock  at  night,  moved  forward 
again,  two  and  a  half  miles  further,  and  bivouacked.  .  At  11,  A.  M., 
of  the  13th,  moved  forward  to  support  McAllister's  Battery,  remaining 
here  until  2,  P.  M.  At  this  hour,  McArthur's  entire  Brigade,  (the 
one  to  which  the  9th  111.  belonged,)  were  ordered  to  the  left  of  McCler- 
nand's  Division,  to  prevent  a  flank  movement  of  the  enemy  on  his  left. 
The  Brigade  remained  here  until  night,  when  it  moved  one-half  mile 
further  to  the  right.  Company  A,  Capt.  Adam  commanding,  was  de- 
tached at  this  place,  to  support  a  battery,  and  Lieut.  R.  B.  Patterson, 
of  Co.  E,  was  ordered  with  Co.  A. 

On  the  evening  of  the  13th,  from  having  been  warm  and  pleasant 
when  they  left  camp,  the  weather  changed  and  became  extremely  cold, 
Rain,  sleet  and  snow  fell  alternately  during  the  night.  No  fires  were 
allowed.  Hence,  they  suffered  much  from  cold. 

At  midnight,  a  heavy  volley  of  musketry  was  fired  in  front  of  Col. 
McArthur's  Brigade.  We  were  immediately  ordered  into  line,  and  moved 
three-quarters  of  a  mile  further  to  the  right,  occupying  a  position  in 
Gen.  McClernand's  Division  and  reporting  to  him. 

The  Brigade  was  moved  again  on  the  14th,  to  the  extreme  right  of 
our  line,  reaching  that  point  after  dark.  The  41st  111.  occupied  the 
extreme  right,  and  the  9th  111.  next.  At  daylight  of  the  15th,.  the 
enemy  made  a  furious  attack  on  this  part  of  Gen.  McClernand's  line. 
The  9th  and  41st  111.  Regiments  moved  forward  one  hundred  yards,, 
to  a  high  ridge,  from  which  they  held  the  rebel  columns  in  check. 
The  9th  moved  forward  to  the  ridge  in  echelon,  the  41st  in  line  of 
battle.  At  the  second  onslaught  of  the  enemy,  the  41st  broke  and  fell 
back,  and  the  12th  111.  promptly  occupied  their  place.  The  9th  Regi- 


THE    NINTH   REGIMENT.  23 

raent  held  its  position  for  two  and  a  half  honrsrwhen  all  Its  supports 
on  the  right  and  left  giving  way,  and  its  ammunition  being  exhausted, 
it  fell  back,  slowly  and  iu  good  order.  The  enemy  did  not  press  OUT 
front,  but  moved  vapidly  on  our  right  flank.  So  rapid  was  their 
movement  in  this  direction,  that  twice  we  were  compelled  to  halt  and 
make  demonstrations  to  prevent  their  charging  us.  About  11  o'clock, 
A.  M.,  the  Regiment  passed  through  the  second  line  of  battle,  received 
-a  new  supply  of  ammunition,  and  moved  to.  the  left  aad  rejoined  Gen. 
Smith's  Division,  to  which  they  properly  belonged. 

On  the  morning  of  tke  16th,  the  9th  Regiment  was  ordered  forward 
to  complete  'the  work  so  gallantly  begun  by  the  2d  Iowa  Inft.  on  the 
previous  day.  .That  liegiment  had  charged  the  rebel  breastwork?, 
and  in  part  taken  possession  of  them.  To  make  another  charge,  and 
•completely  drive  them  out,  was  the  work  assigned  to  the  9th  for  this 
day.  But  before  the  final  order  to  charge  was  given,  the  enemy  sur- 
rendered unconditionally.  The, 9th  111.  Inft.  and  the  2d  Iowa  Inft, 
were  granted  the  honor  of  first  marching  into  the  outer  works  of  the 
•enemy.  On  entering  the  works,  the  9th  111.  took  charge  of  the  follow- 
ing rebel  regiments:  The  14th  Mississippi,  32d,  14th  and  18th  Tenn- 
essee, and  2d  Kentucky,  in  all  about  2,000  men. 

The  9th  111.  went  into  the  fight,  on  the  15th,  with  about  600  men 
reported  for  duty.  Its  loss  during  the  action  was,  35  Idlled  on  the  field, 
160  wounded,  and  6  taken  prisoners.  Most  of  those  taken  prisoners 
"were  wounded  and  unable  to  fall  batek  with  the  Regiment.  Companies 
A  and  II  were  not  engaged  in  the  fight.  Company  H  had  been  left  as 
Provost  Guard  at  Paducah,  and  Company  A,  as  mentioned  above,  had 
foeen  detached  on  the  night  of  the  loth  to  support  a  battery,  and  had 
sot  rejoined  the  Regiment  at  the  time  it  was  engaged. 

Among  the  wounded,  were  the  following  officers:  Capt.  Robinson 
of  Co.  I,  and  Capt.  Beekier  of  Co.  D,  both  snghtly;  1st  Lieuts.  Lieber 
of  Co.  B,  Britt  of  Co.  F,  and  Button  of  Co.  G.  Tkese  were  all  severely 
wounded.  Lieut.  Lieber  lost  his  left  arm,  and  Lieut.  Button  was 
disabled  for  life. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  killed  and  wounded  in  the  variowa 
companies: 

COM  PANT  A. — Supporting  a  battery,  lost  none. 

COMPANY  B. — Killed,  Corp.  Lugenbuehler,  Corp.  Dettweiler,  Ben- 
*kers,  Jacob  Eicrkuss,  Henry  Gonnerrnann,  Henry  Hurick,  Christian 
Koch,  Albert  Newmann,  Leech.  In  all  9  killed.  Wounded. — First 
Lieut.  Hamilton  Lieber,  Privates  Adolph  Aldo,  Peter  Bauer,  John 
Berger,  Charles  Daehuer,  Albert  Donner,  Michael  Fath,  Joseph  Gantner? 


2*f  A   HISTORY  OF 

Paul  Geist.  Sergfr..  Louis  Grieser,  Privates  Jul.  Hoffmann,  John 
ger,  Charles  Lobe,  Frederick  Menne,  Louis  Messerschmitt,  Hermann 
Moser,  Josep  Oberfell,  Simon  Pohn,  Corp.  John  Sehab,  William-  Sehlottr 
Sergt..  John  Schmidt,  Henry  Schneider,  Anton  Schwarzkopf,  Frederick 
Lensel,  Henry  Weber,  Daniel  Werner,  Christian  Wiekermann,  Joseph 
Ctropp.  la  alf  23  wounded. 

COMPANY  C. — Killed,  Lorence  Bersig  ancF  Heinrich-  Hillmann. — 2. 
Wounded,  Henry  Arndt,  George  Fichter,.  John  Graus,  Christopher- 
Klein,  John  Pietz,  Adam  Reesh,  Join  Riedel,  Adam  Lammonsr  Henry 
Schmidt,  William  Vogt,  Peter  Weisy  William  Miller,  and  Corp.  Charles. 
King.  In  all  13  wourxded. 

COMPANY  D. — Company  D  had  20  men  wounded,  including  the 
Captain.  The  most  of  them  were  slight  wounds,  which  did  not  disable* 
the  men.  Three  only  were  dangerously  wounded. 

COMPANY  E. — Kitted  T  Privates- Cassius  C.  Atchinson  and  Jas.  Dyer.-2^ 
Wounded,  Corps,  John  A.  Gilmore  and  Frank  M.  Tillotson,  Privates 
John  Beatty,  John  A.  J.  Bragg,  Russell  W.  Coo-1,  Wm.  Ev.ans,  Michael 
Farley,  John  Fletcher,  Dennis  C.  Fro  thin  gham,  Jas.  B.  Gilmore,  Simon; 
Hagar,  Joseph  B.  Jones,  Wm.  T.  Kelley,  John  Keiaberlhi,  F.  M.  Moore, 
Francis  J.  Murphy,  Geo.  Snyder,  John  Till,  Wm.  G.  Triplett,  David 
M.  Durham,  Geo.  M.  Gilmore.  In  all  21  wounded. 

COMPANY  1$.— Killed,  Privates  David  N.  Askton,  and  Constant 
Roland.— 2  killed.  Wounded,  1st,  Jjieut.  Wm.  Britt,  Sergt&.  Thos.  C. 
Kidd  and  Andrew  J.  Webster,  Corp.  Andrew  J.  White,  Privates  Geo. 
M.  Campbell,  E.  Carrey,  John  W.  Dye,  Wm.  M.  Ellis,  Jaiwes  Getty, 
James  Hicks,  Natliari  Lynch,  Geo.  Mclrish,  Eli  J-  Singleton,  Richa 
Lumpkins,  Thos.  J.  Wallace,  Frank  Wagnerr  John  Rank,  Joseph  L_ 
Garrett.  Harlow  Bassett.  In,  all  19  wounded.  This  is  not  a  complete 
list.  There  were  23  wounded.  The  records  of  the  company  have 
been  destroyed. 

COMPANY  G. — Killed,  Beojamin  Jacob,  Emsley  Walker,  James- 
Willhelm.  In  all  3  killed.  Wounded,  1st  Lieut.  John  S.  Sutton,  N. 
€r.  Brown,  Wm.  B.  Dubois^  Thos.  J.  Pleasant,  Jas.  Canton,  Jas.  E. 
Mason,  Jacob  Willhelm,  John  J.  White,  John  A.  Stotlan,  William  J. 
Higlai,  C.  C.  Akin,  Jos.  H.  Watley,  Jehn  Collin,  Jas.  M.  Brown,  and 
Wm,  R.  Gore.  In  all  15  wounded. 

COMPANY  H. — Absent  at  Paducah  as  Provost  Guard. 

COMPANY  I. — Killed,  James-  N.  Johnson,  Augustus  Cluge,  G.  W.. 
Kinder,  Cha-rles  Loymer,  David  Lain,  Alonzo  Livingston,  Hugh  McMa- 
&en.<v  John,  McKinney,  Charles  McDermot,  Geo.  M.  More;  Josepk  PL 


THE    NINTH    REGIMENT.  Zo 

Stevenson,  David  Williams.  In  all  12  killed.  Wounded,  Capt.  Joseph 
G.  Robinson,  2d  Lieut.  S.  T.  Hughs,  Sergts.  Geo.  Woodbury  and  W. 
Jarvis,  Corps.  R.  R.  Swain,  John  G.  Irwin  and  F.  A.  Courmon,  Privates 
Wm.  Baird,  John  Baird,  D.  G.  Breyfogle,  Jas.  G.  Ballarjl,  Zachariah 
Burgess,  Aaron  C.  Bordon,  Jos.  Crews,  G.  W.  Clark,  Charles  Dayton, 
Emanuel  Davis,  John  Ellett,  Henry  Fitzsimmons,  Theodore  Fisher,  H. 
Fuller,  John  Graham,  James  Hawratty,  William  Helms,  David  John- 
son, David  Kyle,  Geo.  Lent,  Geo.  Lawson,  Sam'l  Morehead,  James 
Mitchel,  Chas.  S.  Patton,  Samuel  Read,  John  R.  Vanhooser,  William 
Willson.  In  all  34  wounded. 

COMPANY  K. — Killed,  Corp.  Walter  Walsh,  Privates  Reuben  M. 
Anderson,  And.  J.  Burton,  Charles  Casebeer,  John  Emery,  Johna^ 
Hazlewood,  David  Newconib,  Jas.  Patterson.  In  all  8  killed.  Wound* 
ed,  Sergts.  A.  J.  Snider  and  John  Barbotir,  Corps.  Chas.  N.  Brown,. 
Geo.  Lincoln  and  Samuel  W.  Sloan,  Privates  Jas.  Broadie,  Jos.  N.. 
Condon,  Simon  P.  Casey,  Wm.  A.  Daily,  Frank  F.  Cogles,  John  Gib- 
son, Albert  W.  Kimball,  Aaron  Lipe,  John  Mallory,  Albert  Mitchell,. 
John  Servers,  Wm.  Thompson  and  H.  C.  Ulen.  In  all  18  wounded. 

The  desperate  struggle  in  which  our  Regiment  was  engaged,  and  the 
persistence  with  which  the  boys  fought,  may  be  seen  from,  the  list  of 
killed  and  wounded  as  presented  above.  Only  about  600  went  into  the 
fight.  Of  these,  195  were  killed  and  wounded;  just  about  every  third 
man. 

The  boys  had,  it  will  be  remembered,  when  they  left  Fort  Heiman  oa 
the  morning  of  the  12th  of  February,  only  two  days'  rations.  They 
received  nothing  more  until  the  evening  of  the  15th,  after  they  had 
been  engaged  in  the  severe  battle  of  that  forenoon.  Thus  their  two 
days'  rations  had  to  last  them  four  days.  Many  of  the  officers,  who 
had  entrusted  their  haversacks  to  their  servants,  became  separated  from 
those  servants,  and  were  almost  without  anything  to  eat  for  the  last 
forty-eight  hours.  There  was  no  chance  for  foraging  there.  Often 
now,  our  Regiment  will  go  out  on  a  scout  with  three  days'  rations,  and 
live  very  well  on  it  for  six  or  eight  .days.  Such  was  the  battle  of  Fort 
Donelson,  and  the  part  the  9th  took  in  it. 

The  Regiment  remained  at  Fort  Donelson  until  the  22d  of  February, 
yrhen  the  Brigade  proceeded  up  the  Cumberland  River  to  Fort  Sevier 
Hear  Clarksville,  where  they  disembarked  and  went  into  camp  on  the  25th. 

Major  Kuhn,  formerly  Provost  Marshal  of  Paducah,  and  Co.  H  of 
the  9th  Regiment,  his  Provost  Guard,  reported  to  the  Regiment  for 
duty  on  the  23d.  The  Regiment  remained  in  camp  here  until  the  27th r 
when  it  embarked  on  board  the  steamer  "  Woodford,"  and  proceeded  up 


26  A   HISTORY   OP 

the  river  to  Nashville,  Term.,  arriving  there  on  the  morning  of  the 
28th.  Here  it  remained  until  March  1st,  when  it  returned  to  camp  at 
Fort  Sevier. 

"When  our  forces  advanced  .up  the  Cumberland  River  to  Clarksville 
and  Nashville,  they  found  no  enemy  to  oppose  them.  After  the  rebels 
surrendered  Fort  Donelson,  they  seemed  to  be  seized  with  terror.  The 
rebel  Governor  and  Legislature  fled  from  Nashville  in  terror,  taking 
•with  them 'whatever  they  could  of  State  property.  The  writer,  being 
then  in  Illinois,  well  remembers  the  public  rejoicing  there  was  over  the 
result  of  this  victory.  There  seemed  to  be  a  feeling  prevailing  in  the 
North  that  the  "backbone"  of  the  Rebellion  was  broken,  and  that  we 
would  soon  have  peace.  But  two  years  have  passed  away,  (I  write  this 
sketch  on  the  16th  of  February,  the  anniversary  of  Fort  Donelson's 
surrender,)  and,  although  .we  have  several  times  since  that  been  cheered 
with  the  promise  that  the  "backbone"  of  the  Rebellion  was  broken, 
still  it  lives.  It  is  said  a  snake's  tail  does  not  die  until  sunset,  even 
though  its  back  may  be  Broken  and  its  head  mashed.  Perhaps,  as  the 
rebs.  had,  at  first,  a  snake  for  their  emblem,  this  may  be  the  reason  it 
it  is  so  long  dying.  Maybe  it  is  only  the  tail  of  it  that  now  remains 
alive.  When,  however,  sunset  will  come,  and  its  tail  cease  to  live,  is 
difficult  to  determine.  May  it  be  soon. 

Some  incidents  occurred  during  this  period,  worthy  of  note.  During 
the  time  the  Regiment  was  engaged  in  battle  at  Fort  Donelson,  James 
Getty,  of  Co.  F,  aged  about  60  years,  was  observed  by  Lieut.  Williford 
of  his  Co.,  to  decline  laying  down  to  load.  He  stood,  loaded  his  gun> 
and  fired  as  deliberately  as  if  he  had  been  shooting  at  a  target  for  a 
wager.  The  Lieut,  told  him  he  had  batter  lay  down  to  load,  or  he  would 
get  shot.  His  reply  was,  "  I  reckon  I  know  my  business,"  and  again 
raised  his  gun  and  deliberately  lowered  it  upon  hiK  selected  rebeL 
Soon  the  Lieut,  saw  him  tumble  over,  and  supposing  he  was  killed, 
went  to  him.  But  he  jumped  up,  and  said  he  guessed  he  was  not  much 
hurt.  He  was  shot  in  the  shoulder,  but  he  gathered  up  his  musket 
and  went  to  firing  again.  It  was  not  long  until  another  ball  struck 
his  pocket-book.  He  had  some  silver  in  it.  The  ball  struck  a  silver 
half  dollar,  and  mashed  it  up,  driving  it  against  his  thigh,  bruising' it 
very  much.  Two  or  three  buckshot  were  lodged  in  him.  Still 
.stood  firing  away  at  the  enemy.  I  might  also  say  in  this  connectio 
that  this  same  man,  at  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  when  the  RegimeYit  ran  out 
of  ammunition  and  had  to  fall  back  for  a  new  supply,  fell  in  with  some 
other  Regimlht;  procured  a  supply  of  ammunition  from  some  one,  and 
went  to  fighting  again.  When  that  Regiment  in  turn  fell  back,  he 


THE    NINTH   REGIMENT.  27 

happened  in  with  some  other  one,  and  there  fought*  In  this  way  h0 
spent  the  whole  of  that  terrible  Sabbath  day.  When  he  ceased  fight- 
ing with  any  company,  he  was  careful  to  go  to  the  commander  of  it, 
and  get  a  certificate,  stating  that  he  had  been  fighting  with  it.  When 
he  returned  to  his  company  in  the  evening,  he  had  certificates  from 
several  Captains  and  one  Colonel.  He  preserved  these  certificates,  so 
that  he  might  show,  when  he  returned  to  his  Regiment,  that  he  had  not 
been  straijgli'flfj,  but  fiylttiwj.  He  went  into  the  fight  on  the  next 
*  day,  and  was  shot  in  the  head.  From  this  wound  he  recovered,  but 
was  afterwards  discharged  on  account  of  it. 

Another  incident.  Surgeon  Gulick  (then  Assistant  Surgeon)  was 
taken  prisoner  by  the  "Texan  Rangers/'  while  attending  to  his 
duties  in  the  hospital.  He  insisted,  that  being  Surgeon,  he  should  not 
be  retained  as  a  prisoner;  that  there  were  a  large  number  of  wounded 
men  under  his  charge,  and  no  one  to  care  for  them  but  himself.  The 
rebels  persisted,  however,  in  taking  him.-  They  told  him  that  they  had 
some  wounded  men,  and  he  must  come  and  attend  to  them.  One 
of  them  was  leading  his  horse  along,  taking  him  back  to  where  their 
wounded  were.  He  was  in  the  rear  of  a  rebel  Regiment.  The  man 
who  led  his  horse  was  shot.  The  Doctor  does  not  say  l>y  whom  he  was 
shot.  He  put  spurs  to  his  -horse  to  make  his  escape.  He  had  to  ride 
through  a  rebel  Regiment.  A  perfect  shower*" Mtamsfoet  balls  followed 
him.  To  increase  his  danger,  our  own  soldiers  supposing  him  to  belong 
to  a  party  of  rebels  making  a  charge,  fired  ujglfehim  from  the  front. 
He  was  riding  Surgeon  Hamilton's  horse.  Strapped  to  his  saddle  was 
a  buffalo  robe.  He  had  often  joked  with  Dr.  Hamilton  about  having 
that  tied  on  there  as  a  protection  when  he  would  be  making  his  escape 
from  the  enemy.  Five  balls  passed  into  this  robe,  and  were  lodged 
among  its  folds.  The  Doctor  made  his  escape;  but  thinks  he  would 
never  attempt  to  make  another  such. 

Still  another  incident,  with  which  the  Doctor  was  connected.  After 
the  battle  at  Fort  Donelson,  he  was  placed  on  board  a  steamer  with  275 
wounded  men,  and  shoved  out  into  the  river,  without  any  medicine, 
without  anything  for  the  men  to -eat,  with  no  instruments  but  carpenter 
tools,  and  in  that  condition  remained  for  three  days.  If  he  attempted 
to  take  off  a  limb,  he  had  to  use  a  common  cook's  knife  for  a  dissecting 
knife,  and  a  carpenter's  saw  to  sever  the  bone.  He  had  no  bandages 
with  which-  to  wrap  up  the  wounds,  except  he  take  the  only  shirt  they 
had.  This  truly  was  a  trying  position  in  which  to  place  a  good  surgeon* 

Still  another.  The  present  color-bearer  received  a  shet  in  the  arm- 
The  ball  was  lodged"  there.  The  Doctor  cut  the  ball  out,  but  he  would 


28  A    HISTORY   OP 

not  wait  to  have  a  bandage  put  on   it,  but  snatched  his  musket  and 
rushed  to  the  fight  again. 

One  more  incident.  At  the  battle  of  Fort  Donelson  a  soldier  of  Co. 
K  found  in  the  knapsack  of  a  Southern  soldier,  who  had  been  killed  in 
battle,  the  picture  of  a  beautiful  young  lady.  He  carefully  preserved 
it.  At  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  this  soldier  was  killed.  On  examining  his 
knapsack,  to  make  the  proper  inventory  of  his  goods,  the  Orderly  of 
his  company  found  this  picture.  He  remembered  the  circumstance  of 
its  being  found.  He  carefully  preserved  it.  It  was  a  great  favorite 
with  the  boys  in  the  company,  and  received  the  name  of  "  The  Daughter 
of  Co.  K."  When  the  Regiment  was  on  the  march  from  Corinth  to 
Athens,  in  November,  1863,  it  passed  through  the  town  of  Pulaski, 
Tenn.  As  Lieut.  Oats,  of  Co.  K,  was  riding  along  the  streets  of  Pulaski, 
he  saw  a  young  lady  standing  at  the  door  of  one  of  the  residences  of  the 
town,  whom  he  at  once  recognized  as  the  original  of  the  picture  in  pos-. 
session  of  Co.  K.  Speaking  of  the  matter  to  others  in  the  company,. 
they  all  agreed  that  this  was  the  original.  The  Lieutenant  learned 
afterwards,  to  a  certainty,  that  it  was  the  same.  The  picture  still 
remained  in  his  possession,  until  near  the  last  of  January,  1884.  At 
the  time  Gen.  Roddy's  forces  made  a  dash  upon  our  camp,  when  the 
Regiment  was  nearly  all  out,  the  officers,  as  well  as  men,  lost  everything 
that  was  in  their  tents.  Among  other  things,  the  picture  of  "The 
Daughter  of  Co.  K,"  was  taken.  Its  loss  is  much  regretted  by  the  boys, 


CHAPTER    IV. 

FROM   BATTLE    OF    SHILOH    TO    BATTLE    AT    CORINTH. 

Trip  up  the  Tennessee  River  —  Remain  on  boat  —  Battle  of  Shiloh  — 
Losses  in  this  battle  —  Losses  in  9th  Regt.  111.  Inft.—List  of  killed 
and  wounded  —  Advance  upon  Corinth  —  Pursuit  —  Officers  commis- 
sioned —  Garrison  Rienzi. 

Having  ascended  the  Cumberland  River,  and  ascertained  that  the 
enemy  had  evacuated  all  the  prominent  points  on  it,  Gen.  Grant  now 
marshals  his  forces  for  a  trip  up  the  Tennessee-River,  hoping  fro$it 
to  reach  Corinth,  where  the  enemy  were  strongly  fortifying  themselves  ; 
and  collecting  in  great  number. 

The  9fch  111.  Inft.  was  destined  to  take  part  in  this  expedition. 
Hence,  it  struck  tents  at  Fort  Sevier  on  the  6th  March,  1862,  and 
embarked,  with  camp  and  garrison  equipage,  on  board  the  steamers 
"Lady  Pike"  and  "Commercial."  It  moved  down  the  Cumberland 


THE    NINTH   REGIMENT.  29 

* 

River  on  the  morning  of  the  7th,  and,  passed  Fort  Donelson  on  the  8th, 
reaching  Paducah  the  same  evening.  It  moved  up  the  Tennessee  OD 
10th  [March,  and  joined  Gen.  Grant's  flotilla  six  miles  above  Fort  Henry. 

The  trip  up  the  Tennessee  River,  with  this  great  army,  is  described 
by  the  boys,  as  grand  beyond  all  description.  There  were,  I  believe, 
ninety-five  steamboats  loaded  with  soldiers.  The  weather  was  beautiful 
and  pleasant.  Bands  of  music  were  playing.  ,  Everything  that  was 
calculated  to  charm  was  there.  Doubtless  very  many  of  this  great 
multitude  did  not  realize  that  in  a  short  time  so  many  of  them  must 
fall  in  the  deadly  conflict.  The  terrors  to  come  were  forgotten  in  the 
joys  and  grandeur  of  the  hour. 

This  fleet,  containing  a  grand  army,  reached  Savannah,  Tenn.,  on 
me  12th  of  March,  1862.  Here  the  boats  remained  tied  up  until  the 
18th  of  March,  when  we  moved  up  to  Pittsburg  Landing,  disembarked 
and  went  into  camp,  one-quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  river,  on  the  19th. 
On  the  28d,  our  camp  was  moved  one-half  mile  further  back  from,  the 
river.  At  this  point  the  81st  Ohio,  and  the  13th  and  14th  Missouri 
Infantry,  were  attached  to  the  Brigade.  The  two  latter  were  after- 
wards exchanged  for  the  22d  Ohio  and  66t^  Illinois  Infantry. 

On  the  1st  of  April  Col.  Mersy  was  ordered  to  the  command  of  the 
Brigade,  in  .the  place  of  Col.  McArthur,  who  had  been  placed  under 
arrest. 

On  the  morning  of  the  6th,  at  daylight,  the  enemy  made  a  furious 
attack  on  Gen.  Prentiss'  Division.  The  enemy  move- 1  forward  in  echelon^ 
by  Divisions,  point  foremost,  the  evident  intenSW  being  to  break,  by  a 
furious  attack,  the  centre  of  our  line.  But  in  this  they  did  not  succeed. 
Gen.  Prentiss  was  compelled,  however,  to  fall  back  a  short  distance  to 
his  supports.  Here  he  gallantly  maintained  his  position  for  a  long  time. 

But  my  object  in  this  sketch,  is  not  to  give  an  account  of  this  terrible 
battle,  but  of  the  part  the  9th  Illinois  took  in  it. 

Our  Division  was  held  in  reserve,  and  consequently  did  not  reach  the 
field  of  action  until  after  noon.  Col.  McArthur  had  been  released  from 
arrest,  and  resumed  command  of  his  Brigade..  Brig.  Gen.  W.  H.  L. 
Wallace  relieved  Major  General  Smith  of  the  command  of  our  Division, 
the  latter  being  too  un,well  to  do  duty  on  the  field.  We  were  moved  to 
the  left  of  Prentiss'  Division.  On  the  way  the  Regiment  met  with 
hundreds  of  stragglers  hastening  in  confusion  to  the  sheltering  cover  of 
the  river  bank  for  protection.  »  About  fifty  of  these  were  pressed  into 
our  Regiment.  Nearly  all  of  them  were  killed  or  wounded  during  the 
day. 

The  Regiment  held  its  place  in  the  line  for  two  hours,  against  a  vastly 

*  * 


80  A    HISTORY    OF 

| 

superior  force  of  the  enemy.  The  41st  111.  Inft.  was  on  our  right,  and 
the  12th  111.  Inft.  on  our  left.  The  latter  Regiment  fell  back  three 
hundred  yards,  after  being  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  enemy  for  over  an 
hour.  Thus  our  left  flank  was  exposed  to  a  flank  movement  of  the 
enemy.  Of  this  they  soon  took  advantage,  ami  poured  a  murderous 
fire  down  the  ravine  which  we  occupied.  After  holding  this  position 
until  a  new  line  was  formed,  three  hundred  yards  in  the  rear,  the 
Regiment  fell  back  hastily  behind  it.  It  was  not  long,  however,  until 
this  line  was  broken  by  the  terrible- assault  of  the  overwhelming  forces 
of  the  enemy.  A  new  line,  of  immense  strength,  was  finally  formed 
one-half  mile  from  the  landing.  All  the  available  artillery  was  gathered 
to  this  point;  the  victorious  advance  of,  the  enemy  was  checked,  and 
their  masses  for  the  first  time  during  the  day  recoiled  before  the  mur- 
derous discharges  of  grape  and  canister  from  one  hundred  iron  throats. 
Gen.  Prentiss'  Division  not  falling  back  soon  enough  to  this  new  line? 
were  completely  surrounded,  and  compelled  to  surrender  to  the  enemy. 
The  Division  numbered  about  3,000  men. 

After  the  repulse  of  the  enemy  at  this  point,  no  further  attack  was 
made,  and  night  soon  clo^jjii  the  conflict  of  the  day.  During  the  night 
the  gunboats  kept  up  a  constant  firing  of  64-pound  shells  among  the 
enemy,  and  finally  compelled  them  to  fall  back  six  hundred  yards, 
gave  our  forces  a  fine  .chance  to  operate  in  the  morning.  During 
e  night  also,  some  20,000  fresh  troops  from  Buell's  army  were  ferried 
ross  the  river.  Mf^Hbn.  Wallace's  Division,  from  Gruiapt's  Landing, . 
e  up  on  the  left  BB:  of  the  enemy.  So  that  on  the  morning  of  tha 
7th  we  had  20,000  fresh  troops  on  the  front  of  the  enemy,  our  gunboats 
on  their  right,  and  Gen.  Wallace's  Division  of  6,000  fresh  troops  on 
their  left  flank.  -.  The  contest  was  not  long.  The  enemy  soon  gave  way. 
Then  began  a  retreat  which  finally,  at  3,  P.  M., -became  a  perfect  rout, 
as"  they  fled  in  wild  dismay  toward  their  works  at  Corinth.  The  miser- 
able condition  of  the  roads  prevented  pursuit  for  more  than  half  of  the 
distance.  Hence,  we  succeeded  in  capturing  only  1,000  prisoners. 

The  entire  Union  loss  in  this  engagement  was,  1,700  killed,  9.000 
wounded,  and  3,800  taken  prisoners.  The  rebel  Joss  was  about  2,300 
killed,  12,000  wounded,  and  1,000  taken  prisoners.  Total  Union  loss, 
14,500.  Total  rebel  loss,  15,800. 

Here,  in  this  one  battle,  were  4,000  American  citizens  left  dead  tipon 
the  battle-field,  and  21,000  more  woundld.'  By  whom  was  this  terrible 
destruction  of  life  ?  Had  some  savage  foe  invaded  our  once  happy 
and  peaceful  land  ?  Ah,  no !  It  was  the  hand  of  brother  against 
brother;  fellow-citizen  against  fellow-citizen !  It  arose  on  the  one  handy 

*  . 


THE    NINTH   REGIMENT.  31 

from  a  determination  to  rivet  tighter  and  tighter  the  chains  of  human 
bondage^,  even  at  the  cost  of  the  overthrow  of  that  government  under 
which  our  country  has  been  so  highly  prospered ;  and  on  the  other  hancL 
from  a  determination  that  so  good  a  government  should  riot  be  over- 
thrown to  support  any  such  unhallowed  cause  Oh,  the  sadness  of  human 
strife,  and  especially  when  it  arises  from  a  family  quarrel! 

The  loss  of  the  9th  111.  Inft.  in  this  battle,  was  Gl  killed  on  thefieldr 
and  287  wounded.  Among  the  killed,  was  Lieut  F.  Vogler,  of  Co.  B- 
Among  the  wounded,  were  Col.  Mersy,  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips,  Adjutant 
Klock,  Assistant  Surgeon  Gulick,  Captains  Adam,  Kneffner,  Beckier, 
Hawes,  Webb,  Armstrong  and  Robinson,  and  Lieutenants  Rolhnann, 
Scheel,  Williford,  Clements,  Purviance,  McCleery,  (mortally,)  Lowe  and 
Krebs.  Lieut.  Krebs  was  severely  wounded  and  taken  prisoner. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  killed  and  wounded  in  the  various  com- 
panies, during  this  battle : 

COMPANY  A. — Killed,  Sergt.  'Peter  Jchoppert,  Corp.  Joseph  Brown,       *» 
Privates  George  Andrea,  Henry  Glink,  Ambrose  Lamber  and  William 
Ilerrman.     In  all,  6  killed.      Wounded.  Capt.-Eniil  Adam,  Lieut.  Oscar 

* 

Rolniann,  Sergt.  Andrew  Bastian,  Corps.  AAon  Hund,  Anton  SBlkert- 
ner  and  Henry  Burmeister,  Privates  Friedrich  Bremenkamp,  Henry 
Brenner,  John  Baner,  Erasmus  Fries.  Nickolaus  Frank,  Anton  Gau- 
locher,  (afterward  died,)  Ferdinand  Hoas,,.Wm.  Holl,  Michael  Ho] 
week,  James  Loehr,  Charles  Miller,  Henry  Mueller,  August  Meyj 
Jacob  Nickolaus,  George  Schaefer,  Jacob  W^^^Klartin  Wcis 
Duttenhocfer,  Adam  Schalter,  Benidiekt  Str^Jger,  William 
George  Winter,  Christian  Rose,  Nickolaus  Yonburg,  Friedrich  Koch, 
Theodore  Bachlg,  Henry  Tahncke,  Chas.  Ribke,  Michael  Braun  and 
Andreas  Sehuehinan.  In'  all,  36  wounded. 

COMPANY  ^.—Killed,  Lieut.  F.  E.  Vogler,   Sergt.TjTohn'  Schmidt, 
Privates  Edward  Dettmar,  Albert  Kineoke,  Conrad  Maul,  /ohn   Mesh, 
Frank  Scheffer  and  Henry  Weber.     In  all.  8  killed.      Wounded,  Sergt, 
Ju.;r.i  Malluiann,  Privates  Lorens  Ackermann,  Joseph  Ainmpn,  Mataias 
Arnold,  Jacob  Bauer,  Morand  Barrmann,  George  Betz,  Gustar  Blank, 
Joss.  Cropp,  Albert  Donner,  Frederick  Entz,  Amald  Gerig,  Charles  Grii^,  .^^* 
Conrad  Hellmuth.  Gerhard  Janssen,  Valentin  Kadel,  August  LopolcL  1 
Louis  Linne,  Paul  Martin,  Ignaz  Menne,  Sabastian  Pfister,  John  Raffel^ 
Peter  Reppel,  George  Salz,  He^iry  Schmidt,  Jacob  Spiess,  Philipp  Spiese,™ 
Corp.    Hermann    Sueninicht,    Jacob    Sulzer,   Daniel  Werner,   Christ. 
Wickermann,  Ferdinand  Wisshack,  Corp.  Augustus  Wurrnb.     In  all, 
83  wounded. 

COMPANY  C. — Killed,  Wm.  Klingenberg,  John  L^aprecht,  George 


t 


32  A    HISTORY   OP 

Lchr,  Michael  Lehr,  Friedrich  Lippert,  Geo.  Luther,  Henry  Kiditer, 
Sergt.  Chas.  Hahle,  Christian  Schenk,  Win.  Slorch  and  August 
Wichard.  In  all,  11  killed.  Wounded,  First  Lieut.  Oscar  Rollmann, 
A.  Arramus,  Anton  Becker,  Henry  Behm,  Andrew  Benci,  Philipp  Erbe, 
Chas.  Friedrich,  Win.  Gaebe,  Jacob  Haberkorn,  John  A.  Helferich, 
Frank  Helferich,  Jacob  Herpin,  Christian  Keith,  Christian  Macdel, 
Frank  Moser,  Andrew  Nadber,  Jacob  Randall,  Antoo  Saebert,  Charles 
Schenk,  Fred.  Scheve,  Henry  Schemph,  Peter  Schneider,  Xicklaus 
Sehouelfcer,  John  Spaule,  John  Salzniann,  Freiderich  Slaab,  Henry 
Vishsel.  In  all,  27  wounded. 

COMPANY  D. — Killed,  Jacob  Becker,  Charles  Geesel,  Henry  Geesel, 
Adam  Loebig,  Christian  Kahn,  Adam  Keitz,  Jacob  Kieps,  Philip  Laner, 
Albert  Scheleberg,  Schelz  Tert,  Wm\  Vogelpohl  and  Henry  Yohs. 
In  all,  12  killed.  Wounded,  C'apt.  Beckier,  Lieuts.  Krebs  and  Scheal, 
John  Baehr,  Herman  Bange,  Isiter  Bayett,  Joseph  Beck,  Rudolph 
Bekier,  Win.  Beeverson,  Jo's.  Ersenhauer,  Anlon  Garllhoeffner,  Fred. 
Haverrnann,  Conrath  Heidmann,  Chas.  Huber,  Edward  Krebs,  William 
Lieser,  Chas.  Miller,  George  Metzker,  C.  Moeninger,  C.  Roth  Roify 
Fried*,  Scheel,  Os.  Stocker,  Bernhard  Vogel,  and  Tweibert  Henry.  In 
all,  3^  wounded. 

COMPANY  E. — Killed,  Sergt.  Silas  Bunker,  Privates  John  Anson, 

rank  M.  Moore,  Wm.  D.  Neviu's,  James   McKenzie,  John  C.  Cadie. 
all,  6  killed.      Wounded^  Corps.  Jas.  G.  Carnahan,  Joseph  R.  Cox, 

d  Philip  Anderson, .-•fijrivates  Jas.  M.  Blake,  Matthew  Bromley,  Geo. 

.  Campbell,  Chas.  Dryden,  Michael  Furlong,  Daniel  Hubbard,  John 
W.  Hay,  Jos.  B.  Jones,  Jas.  Mahone,  Geo.  Meyer,  Francis  J.  Murphy 
Jesse  Mack,  John  N.  Shoemaker,  Thos.  Stalkal,  Neal  Vestal,  Sergi> 
Lewis  C.  Bornman,  Musician  Samuel  Williams,  Wagoner  Wm.  Minor, 
Wni.  Mock.  In  all,  22  wounded. 

•  COMPANY  F. — Killed,  Sergt.  And.  J.  Webster,  Corps.  Joshua  Gear 
and  Frank  Pothast,  Privates  Demean  McCulloch,  -John  Chantick, 
Toliver  Foster,  Thos.  Cox,  Joseph  Koontz,  Geo.  McLeish,  Charles  Hills, 
John  W.  Snofpr,  Private  of  the  71st  Ohio,  name  not  known.  In  all, 
13  killed.  Wounded,  Capt.  Webb,  Lieut.  Geo.  Williford,  Sergts.  Jos. 
jC.  Gales  and  R.  N.  Heinberger,  Corp.  And.  J.  White,  Privates  John 
±5.  Choenewith,  Jas.  Rodgers,  James  Duncan,  N.  B.  Winters,  John 
McCarter,  John  Stutfouth,  John  H.  Lauchly,  James  Getty,  Jos.  L. 
Miller,  James  Hobbs,  Wm.  T.  Miller,  John  H.  Collins,  M.  N.  Fisher, 
Harlow  Bassett,  Jas.  M.  Hickman,  And.  Grudin,  Henry  Grundin,  R. 
Pimpkins,  Geo.  W.  Warren,  John  M.  Ticknor,  Marcus  Burns.  In  all, 
26  wounded.  •;• 


< 


NINTH   REUlMENIDv 


COMPANY  &.—  Killed,  David  Jones,  Alpheus  Bascum,  Jas.'  Walker, 
!Thos.  J.  Ouly  and  Win.  H.  Bascom.  In  all,  5  killed.  Wounded, 
'Lieut.  Clemens,  N.  G.  Poraine,  John  B.  Russell,  E.  B.  Rhoads,  Wm. 
Hampton,  John  J.  White,  (afterwards  died,)  John  W.  Brown,  Wm.  L. 
Brown.  X.  G.  Brown,  Henry  Brown,  John  J,  Zippy,  John  J.  Stripling, 
Win.  11.  Bradley,  Win.  Addison,  Lewis  R,  Appfegate  Robert  Marshall, 
Daniel  Ryan,  Thos.  Stotlar,  A.  B.  Suttin,  W.  S.  White,  John  McCord, 
Lewis  Wis-e,  Jun,,  Allen  Edwards,  S.  P,  Hartsell,  Charles  Tfit  Miller, 
Beunet  iStrotlar.  In*all,  26  wounded. 

COMPANY  K.—Zilkd,  Sergt.  Francis  D.  Hubbel,  Will.  R.  Haller, 
Daniel  C,  White,  Thos.  Wright.  In  all,  4  killed.  Wounded,  Captain 
W.  F.  Armstrong,  Sergts,  Daniel  Pentzer  and  Jacob  Miller,  Privates 
•Nickolaus  Keller,  Alonze  R  McEwen,  Paul  Roberts,  Jas.  W.  Osborn; 
Sidney  B.  Phillips,  John  Arny,  Wm.  Boldeman,  Dennis  Bahon,  Chas;* 
Biernbrier,  Wm.  S,  Cheeaey,  Wm.  A.  Cottmgham,  Ira  G.  Dart,  John 
Droesch,  Thos.  Fry,  Will.  H.  Ilsley,  Wm.  Keep,  John  B.  Livingood, 
John  F.  Moore,  Patrick  Mogneham,  Layfayette  Mason,  Jas.  S.  McGuil- 
lion.  Edward  NaU,  George  Ralph,  Francis  M.  Shekel,  Almon  D.g^p^ 
mons,  Jos.  E.  Taulber,  Moses  H,  Turner,  Patrick  Whalen,  ErSRs 
Gaw,  Jas.  A.  Clotpelter,  George  H,  Dry,  John  Salzmann,  and  Daniel 
C.  Carrier.  In  all,  36  wounded. 

COMPANY  I.  —  Killed,  Nathan  Abbot,  John  Bass,  Reegon  Edw 
John  N.  Larance  and  Frederick  Swartz.  In  aM^illed.  Wo 
Captain  Jos.  G.  Robinson,  1st  Lieutenant  Win.  BT.'  Purviance,  ,^. 
W.  W.  Jarvis,  Corp.'G.  W.  Stice,  Privates  John  Baird,  Norman  Barber, 
Isaiah  Bery,  G.  W.  Clark,  Thomas  C.  Gillhana,  Wm.  Helms,  Thomas 
Hauskins,  John  Jaka,  S.  B.  Jarvis,  Chas.  C.  Lewis,  Albert  Mills,  Geo. 
McKinley,  Chas.  A,  Redman,  John  Wilson  and  Henry  Wormyer.  In 
all,  19  wounded. 

COMPANY  K.—Kilkd,  George  Sloan,  Wm,  Foster,  Jas.  L,  Kriddler, 
Thos.  Walton.  In  all,  4  killed.  Wounded,  John  I^hmond,  Samuel 
W.  Sloan,  Geo.  W.  Burton,  Sen.,  Geo.  W.  Burton,  Wn.,  John  Burke, 
€has.  W.  Boles,  Henderson  Cogdall,  John  L.  Creed,  John  Clifford, 
Win.  A.  Carding,  Frank  £.  Cogles,  John  Horn,  Thos.  J.  Hagler,  Laru 
May,  SanTl  L.  Miller,  Robert  E.  Ramsey,  Jonathan  Stone,  and  Chas- 
L.  TomlinsoH.  In  all,  18  wounded. 

The  terrible  conflict  which  was  endured  by  the  9th  111.  loft.,  in  thii 
battle,  will  be  seen  from  the  number  of  killed  and  wounded.  There  was 
present  for  duty  when  the  Regiment  went  into  the  engagement,  57U 
tnen.  Of  these  348  were  killed  and  wounded,  and  ten  were  captured. 
One  commissioned  officer  was  killed,  and  19  wounded,  Only^A 
[3] 


M  A   HISTORY  OF 

" 

commissioned  officers  were  left  unhurt.  I  heard  one  of  the  soldiers 
who  was  present  at  the  time,  say,  that  when  they  ceased  fighting  on. 
Sabbath  evening,  there  were  70  men  in  line  for  duty,  out  of  the  whole 
Regiment.  It  is  said  that  Col.  Mersy,  when  the  Regiment  was  first 
drawn  up  in  line  after  the  battle  was  over,  shed  tears,  saying.  "Vel, 
vel;  dis  is  all  dat  is  left  of  my  little  Nint!"  It  must  have  been  a  sad 
sight  to  see  a,  Regiment,,  which  numbered  over  1,000  men  when  at 
Paducfp  a  few  months  previous,  cut  down  to  this  snmll  number.  But 
such^is  war. 

Such  was  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  and  such  the  part  taken  in  it  by  the, 
9th  111.  Inft.  The  writer  well  remembers  the  feeling  which  prevailed 
in  the  North  with  reference  to  it.  There  was  rejoicing  over  it  as  a 
victory.  Still  it  was  regarded  as  a  dearly  bought  victory.  There  was 
^a  very  decided  feeling  that  somebody  was  at  fault.  That  the  rebels 
had  completely  surprised  our  army.  That  our  pickets  were  out  but  a 
very  short  distance.  Hence,  the  surprise.  Gen.  Grant,  as  chief  in 
command,  was  faulted.  It  was  charged  that  he  was  drunk  at  the  time, 
ic  had  disobeyed  orders,  and  landed  his  men  ,on  the  wrong  side 
river,  etc.  I  heard  a  citizen  of  Chicago,  not  a  month  ago.  say 
that  if  Gen.  Grant  had  made  his "  appearance  in  Chicago  immediately 
after  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  he  would  have  been  mobbed,  such  was  the 
Deling  of  indignations 

here  to  write  a  defense  of  Gen.  Grant.     Nor  is  it 
career  since  that,  has  set  him  right  in  the 
of The  peo^^^   A  man  who  has   captured  more  prisoners  and 
more  guns  than  the  world-renowned  warrior,  Napoleon  Bonaparte.. cer- 
tainly does  not  needr  at  this  day,  a,  written  defense  of  his  military  career. 
.Suffice  it  to  say.  the  officers  and  liiea  who  fought  under  him,  even  at 
Shiloh,  become  restless  If  a  word  is  said'  against  him. 

Immediately  after  this  battle,  Gen.  Halleck,  who  had  charge  of  the 
South-Western  Department  of  the  army,  with  his  "Head-  Quarter^"  at 
4t.  Louis,  left  tSt  place  for  the  field  of  strife  and  took  coming^  of 
the  army  in  person.  Expectation  was  high  in  the  North.  It  was 
thought  that  now  surely  the  rebels  will  be  "  pushed  to  the  wall/'  Never 
since  the  war  broke  out,  has  there  been  such  intense  anxiety  in  the 
North-w;est,  as  that  which  filled  *he  public  mind  during  the  time  which 
^intervened  between  the  battle  of  Shiloh  and  the  evacuation  of  Corinth. 
Many  hearts  were  sad  over  friends  who  fell  at  Shiloh.  fcvery 
days'  news  was  anxiously  awaited,  expecting  it  to  bring-  an  account  of 
another  terrible  conflict.  The  suspense  was  long  and  painful.  When 
lews  finally  came  that  Corinth  was  ours,  but  that  the  enemy  had 


rojace 
^^Hpl 

ople. 


THE    NINTH    REGIMENT.  35 

evacuated  it,  there  was  a  feeling  of  sadness  ran  through  the  public 
mind.  They  were  not  prepared  for  that.  They  were  prepared  to  hear 
of  many  slain  in  the  effort  to  take  Corinth,  but  not  to  hear  that  the 
enemy  had  fled  and  was  out  of  reach. 

The  9th  111.  Inft.  remained  in  camp  on  the  battle-ground  of  Shiloh. 
-•.id  to  all  the  sickening  influences  of  the  nearness  of  so  many  dead 
animals,  as  well  as  offensive  odor  arising  from  the  shallow  and  imperfect 
burial,  which  necessarily  had  to  be  given  to  so  great  a  multitude 
of  dead.  In  conversation  with  a  citizen  from  Illinois,  who  visited  the 
battle-ground  a  week  or  ten  clays  after  the  battle,  I  learned  from  him 
that  the  offensive  smell  of  the  dead  wa^  almost  insufferable.  That, 
together  with  the  diet  upon  which  the  soldiers  had  to  live,  produced 
disease  to  an  alarming  extent.  Here  the  Regiment  remained  in  camp 
until  the  29th  of  April,  over  three  weeks.  On  that  day  it  removed, 
with  camp  and  garrison  equipage,  towards  Corinth  ten  miles,  and 
bivouacked.  It  moved  forward  again  on  the  80th,  five  miles  further, 
and  we  tit  into  camp.  Here  the  Regiment  had  muster  and  inspection 
by  Col.  Mersy  commanding. 

Here  Brig.  Gen.  R.  J.  Oglesby  took  command  rof  our  Brigade 
place  of  Col.  Me  Arthur  who  was  severely  wounded  in  the  late  battle, 
Brig.  Gen.  T.  A.  Davies  took  command  of  our  Division,  in   place  of     ^^Atfj 
Gen.  Yvr.  H.  L.  Wallace  who  was  mortally  wounded. 

On  the  first  of  May,. moved  camp  five  miles  fuijjjfcjfcowards  Corinth,  **j 
and  remained  there  until  the  4th  of  May.     OipHP  day  removed^ 
Monterey.  Miss.,  and  went  into  e:iwp  a  little  West  of  that  town,  and 
remained  there  until  the  8th  <  ,  hen  another  forward  movemen.t 

was  made,  to  within  seven  miles  of  (fcrinth,  findir%  no  enemy. 

The  country  here  is  very  poor  and  broken,  and  water  very  scarce  and 
unfit  for  use.  A  great  many  of  the  men  were  sick  with  the  Diarrhea 
and  Typhoid  Fever.^  The  Regiment  remained  here  until  the  14th  of 
May,  when  it  movewtwo  mile^furlher  in  the  direction.. of  Corinth.  » 

Tlfc  Division  moved  Arward  again  on  the  16th,  about  one  mile,  and 
formed  a  line,  with  Brig.  Gen.  Hurlbut.'s  Mvision  on  our  right.  Ou 
Al  3  17th,  moved  forward  again  one  mile,  ana  one-half  mile  on  the  19th. 
This  -brought  our  line  within  two  and  a-half  miles  of  Corinth,  and  within 

pgc  of  32-pounder  rilled  guns.     None  were  fired,  however,  ttfhd  the 
plain  inference  was,  that  the  enemy  had  none.     On  the  21st  of 
our  lino  advanced  400  yards,  and  again  on  the  29th  400  yards  more. 
The  pressure  now  became  so  heavy,  that  the  enemy  evacuated  Corinth, 
and  moved  Southward  toward  Okolona. 

Thus  it  will  be  seen,  our  army  was  just  one  month  moving  from 


36          .  A   HISTORY   Of    . 

Pittsburg  Landing  to  Corinth,  a  distance  of  about  thirty  miles. 
one  mile  per  day.  And  this  after  having  remained  22  days  in'  c 
before  leaving  the  battle-ground.  This,  too,  in  pursuit  of  a  fleeing 
enemy.  It  will  be  difficult  ever  to  convince  the  country  that  this  great 
delay  was  necessary.  And  yet  many  military  men,  who  were  present, 
regard  it  as  a  master-piece  of  Generalship.  The  country  through  which 
this  vast  army  must  pass,  was  entirely  uncultivated.  Jso  army  could 
have  subsisted  in  it,  even  for  a  few  days.  Had  our  army  advanced 
rapidly,  they  were  exposed  to  a  flank  movement  which  would  have 
thrown  the  enemy  between  them  and  the  river,  and  cut  off,  as  a  natural 
consequence,  our  supplies.  That  done,  and  our  whole  army  would  have 
been  at  the  mercy  of  the  enemy.  There  was  certainly  great  caution. 
But  it  was  thought  it  was  all  needed. 

When  an  advance  was  made,  after  halting,  in  an  incredibly  short 
time,  breast-works  were  thrown  up  to  prepare  for  an  attack.  It  is 
amusing,  even  now,  to  hear  the  boys  laughing  at  their  expertness  vi£h 
the  spade.  They  all  turned  out  to  be  pretty  good  Irishmen,  so  far  as 
the  use  of  the  spade  is  concerned. 

^Immediately  upon  the  evacuation  of  Corinth,  Gen.  Davies'  Division, 
to  which  the  9th  111.  Inft.  belonged,  was  ordered,  with  Gen.  Pope's 
army,  in  pursuit  of  the  fleeing  enemy.  The  rapidity  with  which  that 
pursuit  was  prosecuted,  will  be  seen  frohi  the  following  record  of  our 
daily  marches.-  jjjt  to  be  wondered  at  that  they  were  not  overtaken? 
At  the  first  day«HLoved  out  five  miles,  and  bivouacked  for  the  night 
near  Farmington.  Moved  forward  again  on  the  31st,  three  miles,  and 
went  into  camp  on  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  Railroad.  Here  we  remained 
in  camp  until  the  5th.  of  June. 

The  following  events  occurred  while  in  camp  here:  On  the  1st  of 
June  ths  Regiment  was  paid  for  the  months  of  January,  February, 
March  and  April,  1862. 

On  the  2d  of  June  commissions  arrived  as  follows :  First  Lieut. 
James  C.  McClery,  to  be  Captain  Co.  K;  2d  Lieut.  G.  G.  Low,  to  be 
1st  Lieut.  Co.  K;  and  Irfergt.  James  Oats,  to  be  2d  Lieut.  Co*  K. 
Sergeant  Mallmann,  to  be  2d  Lieut.  Co.  B;  and  Sergt.  Gottlab,  to  be 
2d  Lieut.  Co.  A. 

On  the  5th  of  June  we  again  moved  forward,  eight  miles,  and  went 
nto  camp.  On  the  6th,  moved  forward  and  went,  into  camp  near 
Booriville,  Miss.  Here  we  remained  until  the  12th  of  June.  General 
Davies,  commander  of  the  Division,  being  absent  on  sick-leave,  General 
Oglesby  w,as  in  command  of  the  Division;  Col.  Mersy  of  the  Brigade, 
and  Major  Kuha  of  the  Regiment. 


THE    NINTH    REGIMENT.  37 


12th  of  June,  the  Regiment  moved  on  its  return  towards 
CoriiJP,  fifteen  miles," and  went  into  camp.  On  the  13th,  moved  again 
and  occupied  its  old  camping  ground  two  and  a-half  miles  south  of 
Corinth.* 

On  the  17th  of  June,  Col.  Wright,  of  the  22d  Ohio,  being  senior 
Colonel,  relieved  Col.  Mersy  of  the  command  of  the  Brigade,  and  Col. 
Mersy  went  home  on  sick-leave. 

The  Regiment  remained  in  camp  here  until  August  16th,  1862. 
During  this  time  the  following  changes  occurred:  Captain  Webb  re- 
fiigned,  and  his  resignation  was'accepted  July  15th,  1862.'  Lieutenant 
Purvianee,  of  Co.  I,  was  discharged  August  16th,  for  inability  from 
wounds  received  in  action  at  Srnloh. 

On  the  16th  of  August,  in  compliance  with  orders  from  Gen.  Davies, 
Divis'um  commander,  the  Regiment  'moved,  with  camp  and  garrison^ 
equipage,  to  llienzi,  and  reported  for  duty  to  Brig.  Gen.  Granger,  com- 
manding at  that  place,  by  whom   it  was  assigned    to  Col.  Schaeife 
commanding  2(1 

Regimental   Quartermaster,  W.  G"  Pinckard,   was  promoted  to 
Japtain  and  Assistant  Quartermaster,  to  rank  from  April  30th,  1862. r 

There  are  some  incidents  during  the  period  covered  by  this  chapter 
vorthy  of  note.  During  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips  was 
Founded.  It  -pceurred  late  on  Sabbath  evening.  He  says  the  only 
hue  he  had  ever  been  scared  since  he  has  been  in  the  army,  was  when 
hey  were  carrying  him  off  the  battle-field  wounded.  The  thought 
)ccurred  to  him,  that  now  there  was  almost  six  feet  exposed  to  the 
re  of  the  enemy  instead  of  one  foot,  Jprgetting  for  the  time,  that  while 
us  body  occupied  an  additional  sp^j^iorizontallyj  it  did  not  occupy  30 
uuch  perpendicularly,  as  when  be  was  on  bis  hor- 


: 


I   ' 


38  A   HISTOEY   OP 

ft 

m 

CII.APTER    Y. 

FROM    THE    ATTACK    ON    CORINTH,    OCT.    oD7    1862,    UNTIL    REGIMEHTF 
WAS    MOUNTED. 

Rebels  prepare  to  attack  Corinth— Order  of  battle — Result,  of  the 
attack  on  the  3d  of  October — New  line  of  battle  at  "  White  House" — 
Line  at  " -Battery  Robinett" — Slaughter  on  the  4th  of  October — Ex- 
tracts from  ft  1 1 cbel  prisoners  journal — List  of  killed  and  icounded 
—  Outpost  duty. 

The  Rebel  leaders  were  not  satisfied  that  onr  forces  should  occupy 
Corinth,  uninterruptedly.     Hence,  in  the  Fall  of  1862  active  prepara- 
tions were  made  by  them  to  attack  that  place.     A  heavy  force,  under 
Generals  Price  and  VanDorn,  was  fitted  up  for  this  purpose.     The  tiBaae 
gjpvas  drawing  near  when  our  boys  must  endure  another  of  those  terrible- 
JBniggles,  two  of  which  they  had  already  passed  through. 

As  I  have  said,  the  Regiment  had  been  doiug  outpost  duty  at  Eienzi, 
from  the  16th  of  August  until  the  last  frf  September.     On  the  20th  of  J 
September,  Col.  Schaeffer's  Brigade,  with  which   our  Regiment  had* 
been  temporarily  united,  moved  Northward,  leaving  the  9th  111.  and  th& 
59th  Indiana,  to  hold  the  place.     On  the  1st  of  October,  the  9$h  111.  * 

oved  toward  Corinth,  and  bivouacked  for  the  night  feeven  miles  South 
of  our  old  camp  iffl||Coriiith.  Moved  again,  on  the  2d  of  October,  and 
came  to  the  old  familiar  camp,  at  noon.  Here  we  occupied  our  old 


position  again,  reporting  to  GeiMfc!   OgjIeSy,  who    commanded   th* 
Brigade. 

On  th£  morning  of  October  3d,  18G2,  the  Regimerct  was  marched 
out  in  its  proper  position  for  the  terrible  conflict.  The  following  order 
will  show  the  position  jt  occupied  during  the  figh^  It  was  moved  out 
two  miles  Northwest  of  Corinth,  to  the  old  rinc-pijfcf  the  rebels.  Our 
Brigade  was  on  the  left  of  the  2d  Division.  r_jjjhe  oth  Division  was  on 

,fcour  left.  On  the  right  of  the  6th  Division,  was  the  3d  Brigade  of  th& 
2d  Division,  ,(Col.  Baldwin  Commanding,)  which  had  been  teinporarilj 
attach^  to  that  Division.  Gen.  Me  Arthur  commanded  the*  6th  Divi- 
sion; ^en.  Davics  the  2d  Division,  and  Gen.  Hamilton  the  Ohip 

^Division.     This  latter  Division  was  held  in  reserve.     Immediately  on 
our  right  was  the  1st  Brigade  of  the  2cl  Division.     Such  was  the  posi- 
tion our  Brigade  occupied  at  the  opening  of  this  terrible  conflict. 
The  enemy  made  their  first  attack  upon  Gen.  McArthur's  Division^ 
was  placed  immediately  upon  our  left.     After  a  short 


I 


THE    NINTH   REGIMENT- 


39     ' 


ildwin's  Brigade,  placed  on  the  right  of  that  Division^  gave  way 
back  in  confusion.  This  uncovered  and  exposed  to  the  enemy 
our  left  flank.  Soon  the  enemy  came  through  the  large  gap  thus  made, 
and  attacked  us  simultaneously  in  the  front  and  rear.  The  jy.st  Ohio, 
placed  upon  the  left  of  our  Brigade,  gave  way  and  moved  in  confusioa 
and  disorder  to  the  right  and  rear,  followed  -very  soon  by  the  12th  111-, 
•and  then  the  Oth  moved  in  the  same  manner. 

In  attempting  to  check  the  too  hasty  advance  of  the  Rebels,  the  9th 
111.  lost  Capt.  Britt,  killed,  and  the  two  Captains  Lowe,  and  Lieutenants 
Hughes  and  Ulen,  together  with  53  enlisted  men,  captured. 

Gen.  Ij^ickleman's  Brigade  covered  our  retreat,  and  we  fell  back  and 
formed  a  new  line  at  the  ••White  House."  The  Brigades  occupied  the 
same  order  in  this  '.  'Tone.  Here  the  advance  OT  the 

enemy  was  chocked,  until  darkness  put  ft  stop  to  the  conflict  for  this  dj^ 

During  the  night  our   line  was  drawn  back   to  Battery  "Rbbin^/1 

Just  before' daylight,  on  the  morning  of  the  4th  of  October,  the  enemy 

s  of  ycst/'rclay,  opened  from  a  four-gun  battery, 

on  the  town,  compelling  our  jjjgljjkd  to  leave  for  safer  quarters.  A 
General  Hospital  v;as  <•  mile*out'  on  the  M.  &  C.  R.  R| 

where  all  the  wounded  were  removed.  Before  they  could  all  be  re- 
moved, one*  or  two  of  them  had  been  kilted  by  the  rebel  shells  in  the 
Tish^win^o  House.  At  daylight,  the  action  became  general  all  along 
our  Ses.  The  Rebel  columns  "made  desperate  charge's,  and  were  as 
often  repulsed. 

'  4L 

General  Oglesby^%manding  our  Brigade,  wdfe  wounded  the  day 


.  comma. 
y.i-rsy  y,- 


previous,  and  C01.  Mersy  assnmcd^e#nmarid  of  the  Brigade.  t  Major 
Kulm.  of  our  Regiiik-.iit,  w;>s  ylso  wsabled,  and  Captain  Hawes  assumed 
command  oT  the  Regiment  during  the  fight  on  the  4th  of  Ooftober. 

The  slaughter  of  the  enemy,  in  the  efforts  to  capture  "Battery 
Robinett,"  was  terrific.  A  true  picture  of  tlje  ground,  taken  ere  the 
dead  were  removal  shows  the  ground  to  be  literally  covered  with  the 
'  dead,  often  lying*  one  upon  another. 

The  struggle  lasted  until  about  10  A.  !>!.,  when  the  Rebel  line  wan 
broken,  and  their  whole  army  .retreated  in  confusion  and  disorder.  Thus 
ended  another  of  those  terrible  conflicts  which  have*  marked  the  history 
of  this  war.  The  conflict  was  fierce  and  determined  on  b^jk  sides. 
Our  forces  were  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Rosecrans.  Thole  of  the 
enemy  were  under  Generals  Price  and  VanDorn.  It  was  regarded  a 
matter  of  vital  importance.,  at  that  time,  for  our  forces  to  hold  that  place. 
The  importance  which  the  Rebels  attached  to  the  work  of  re-taking  it, 
;aD.d  the  desperate  struggle  they  made  in  order  to  do  it,  will  be  seen 


i 


iO  A    HISTORY   OF 

from  some  extracts  which  I  will  here  make  from  the  Journal  of  a  Rebel 
prisoner,  Lieut.  Labruzan,  of  the  42d  Regt.  Ala.  A  copy  of  his  iHftes,. 
taken  as  the  battle  progressed,  and  after  he  was  captured,  wasobtained 
by  some  of  the  boys  in  our  Regiment,  and  I  have  thus  secured  access 
fco  it.  The  following  extract  will  show  the  position  the  enemy  occupied 
an  the  day  before  the  battle  commenced  : 

"Tlmrsdaij,  Oct.  2d.  —  The  bridge  finished  about  10  o'clock,  when. 
we  took  up  the-  line  of  march.  We  marched  right  in  front,  which. 
brought  our  Regt.  near  the  head  of  the  column.  Generals  YanDorn 
and  Yillipigiie  were  ahead  about  two  or  three  miles.  The  army  here  is 
fully  25,000  men  under  command  of  Gen,  VanDcrri,  who  outranks 
Gen.  Price.  Brig.  Gen.  Moore  commanded  our  Brigade  of  fiye  Regi- 
ments. Our  Division  is  commanded  by  Brig.  Gen.  Manny." 
*  I  olnt  here  a  portion  of  his  notes  as  to  tb.e  march  during  the  day,. 
•iMJLthe  'manner  in  which  he  spent  the  night  of  the  2d  October.  It 
would  be  interesting  to  give  the  whole-  of  this  extract  from  his  journal, 
but  it  wouldj  occupy  too  much  space.  It  v.;>riki  enable  us  to  yicTO  that 
great  battle  from  a  rebel  stand-point.  Of  the  :  •  fight,  he 

writes  thus  : 

*•  Friday,  Get:  M.  —  Reveille,  by  the  bugle  at  4  A.  M.  "Were  march- 
ing by  4£.  Crossed  into  Mississippi  at  7  A.  M.  Marched  just  on  the- 
border  for  some  miles.  At  (>]  heard  some  artillery  firing.  Three  miles 
ahead,  skirmishing,  which,  was  kept  up  until  after  .we  crossed  -the  M.. 


&  C.  R.  R.,  which  w,as  at  9-J  A.  M.     Satf  a  Regiment,  ski  j&n. 

field  just  below  us.  The  artillery  kerjt  up  a  constant  fire*al)out  Tnree 
times  a  minute.  Our  Brigade,  under  (3%«/Moore,  marching  into  the: 
••'  woods,  formed  a  Sne  of  battle,  our  right  resting  on  tho  Railroad.  We- 
bad  not  waited  more  than  fifteen  minutes,  when,  heavy  skhmishing  was- 
heard-  about  a  half  mile  in  front,  with  steady  aurl  iiv.-roasing  caim.nmding.. 
Two  men  from  each  company  were  detailed  to  attei.  bounded,. 

&c.  We  left  blankets  v  and  knapsacks  here.  About  10  o'clock  our 
Brigade  marched  forward  through  a  corn-field,  and  formed  into  a  line 
within  a  half  mile  of  the  enemy.  Heavy  firing  j.ust  in  front.  Saw  a 
Major  who  was  wounded." 

He  proceed  thus  to  speak  of  the  fight  of  the  31  j  but  I  will  not 
follow  him  further,  on  .thait  day.  Let  ue  hear  him  describe  tli-e  scene 
of  the  4th: 

"Saturday,  Oct.  4^.  —  An  awful  day..     At  4  orclock,  before  day,  our 

Brigade  was  ordered  to  the  left  about  one-  fourth  of  a  mile,  and  halted,. 

t:hrowin«K)ut  lines  of  skirmishers,  which  kept  up  a  constant  fire.     A 

P    Battery  irt  front  of  the  right  of  our  Regiment  opened  briskly,  and  the> 

-  enemy  replied  the  same.     The  cannonading5  was  heavy  for  an  hour  and 

a  half.     Our  Regiment  lay  down  close,  and  stood  it  nobly.     The  shell 

flew  thick  and  fast,  cutting  off  large  limbs  and  filling  the  air  with  frag- 

ments.    Many  burst  within  20  feet,  and  the  pieces  popped  within  2  or 

3  feet.     It  was  extremely  unphasaiitj  ajad  I  prayed  foe  forgiveness-  of' 


THE   NINTH   REGIMENT.  41 

my  sins,  and  made  up  my  mind  to  go  through.  Col,  Sawler  called  for 
volunteers  to  assist  the  2d  Texas  skirmishers.  I  volunteered,  and  took 
ray  company.  Captain  Perkins  and  Lieutenant  Wumson  being  taken 
sick  directly  after  the  severe  bombardment,  I  had  the  Co.  all  the  time. 
I  went  skirmishing  at  7->.  and  returned  at  9}  o'clock.  W&got  behind 
trees  and  logs,  and  the  way  the  bullets  did  fly,  was  unpleasant  to  tee. 
1  think  20  must  have  passed  within  a  few  feet  of  me,  humming  prettily. 
Shells  tore  off  large  limbs  and  splinters.  Struck  my  tree  several  times. 
We  could  only  move  from  tree  to  tree,  and  bending  low  to  the  ground, 
while  moving.  Oh,  how  anxiously  I  watched  for  the  bursting  of  the 
shells  when  the  heavy  roar  of  the  cannon  proclaimed  their  coming.  At 
9  £  o'clock  I  had  my  skirrniehers  relieved,  by  Captain  Rouse's  Company. 
Sent  my  men  to  their  places,  and  went  behind  a  log  with  Major  Purges. 
At  10  o'clock,  suddenly  the  fight  fairly  opened,  with  heavy  volleys  of 
musketry  and  the  double  thundering  cannon.  This  was  on  tire  right* 
In  a  fe^niinutes  the  left  went  into  action  in  splendid  style.  At  10^ 
o'clock,  Col.  Rogers  came  up  by  us,  only  saying  "Alabama  forces." 
Our  Regiment,  with  the  Brigade  rose,  unmindful  of  the  shell  or  shot, 
and  moved  forward,  marching  about  250  yards  and  rising  the  crest  of 
a  hill.  The  whole  of  Corinth,  with  its  enormous  fortifications,  burst 
upon  our  view.  The  U.  8.  flag  was  floating  over  the  forts  and  in  town. 
We  were  now  met  by  a  perfect  storm  of  grape,  cannister,  cannon  balls 
and  Minnie'balls.  .Oh,  Grod !  I.  have  tower  seen  the  like!  The  men 
fell  like  grass,  even  here.  Giving  one  tremendous  cheer,  we*aashed  to 
the  bottom  of  the  hill  en  which  the  fortifications  are  situated.  Here 
we  found  every  foot  of  ground  covered  with  large  trees  and  brush,  cut 
down  to  impede  our  progress.  Looking  to  the  right  and  left,  I  saw 
several  Brigades  charging  at  the  same  type.  What  a  sight  was  there. 
I  saw  men  running  at  full  speed,  stop*  suddenly  and  fall  upon  their 
faces,  with  their  brains  scattered  all  around.  Others,  with  legs  and 
arms  cut  off,  shrieking  with  agony.  They  fell  behind,  beside,  and 
within  a  lew  feet  of  me.  I  gave  myself  to  God,  and  got  ahead  of  m 
company.  The  ground  was  literally  strewed  with  mangled  corpse^ 
One  ball  passed  through  my  pants,  and  they  cut  twigs  right  by  m^. 
seemed,  by  holding  out  my  hand  I  could  have  caught  a  dozen.  They 
buzzed  and  hissed  by  me  in  all  directions,  but  I  still  pushed  forward. 
I  seemed  to  b# moving  -right  in  the  mouth  of  cannon,  for  the  air  was 
filled  with  hurling  grape  and  cannister.  Ahead  was  one.  continuous 
blaze.  I  rushed  to  the  ditch  of  the  fort,  right -between  some  large 
cannon.  I  grappled  into  it,  and  half  way  up  the  sloping  wall.  The 
enemy  were  only  three  or  four  feet  from  me  on  the  other  side,  but  could 
not  shoot  us  for  fear  of  having  their  heads  blown  off.  Our  men  were 
in  the  same  predicament.  Only  5  or  6  were  on  the  wall,  and  80  or  40 
in  and  around  the  ditch.  Catesby  on  the  wall  by  my  side.  A  man 
within  two  feet  of  me,  put  his  head  cautiously  up,  to  shoot  into  the 
fort.  But  he  suddenly  dropped  his  musket,  and  his  brains  were  dashectj 
in  a  stream  over  my  fine  coat,  which  I  had  in  my  arms,  and  on  mf 
shirt  sleeves.  Several  were  killed  here,  on  top  one  another,  and  rolled 
down  the  embankment  in  ghastly  heaps.  This  was  done  by  a  Regu 


42  A   HISTORY   OP 

merit  of  Yankees  coming  about  40  yards  on  our  left,  after  finding  us 
entirely  cut  oft",  and  firing  into  us.  Several  of. our  men  cried  "put 
down  the  flag,"  and  it  was  lowered,  or  shot  into  the  ditch.  Oh,  we 
were  butchered  like  dogs,  as  we'were  not  supported.  Some  one  placed 
a  white  handkerchief  on  Sergeant  Buck's  musket,  and  he  took  it  to  a 
port  hole.  But  the  Yankees  snatched  it  off  and  took  him  prisoner. 
The  men  fell  10  at  a  time.  The  ditch  being  full,  and  finding  we  had 
ho  chance,  the  survivors  tried  to  save  themselves  as  best  they  could. 
I  was  so  far  up,  I  could  not  get  off  quickly.  I  do  not  recollect  of  seeing 
Catesby  after  this,  but  think  he  got  off  before.  I  trust  in  God  he  has. 
I  and  Capt.  Foster  started  together,  and  the  air  was  literally  filled  with 
Kissing  balls.  I  got  about  204  steps,  as  quick  as  I  could,  about  a  dozen 
being  killed  in  that  distance.  I  fell  down^and  scrambled  behind  a 
large  stump.  Just  then,  I  saw  poor  Foster  throw  up  his  Rands,  and 
saying  ;'0h,  my  (led!''  jumped  about  two  feet  from  the  ground,  falling 
on  his  face.  The  top  of  his  head  seemed  to  cave  in,  and  the  blood 
spouted  straight  up  several  feet.  I  could  see  men  fall  as  they  attempted 
to  run,  some  with  their  heads  to  pieces,  and  others  with  the  blood 
streaming  from  their  backs.  It  Was  horrible.  One  poor  fellow  being 
almost  on  me,  told  me  his  name,  and  asked  me  to  take  his  pocket-book 
if  I  escaped  and  give  it  to  his  mother,  and  tell  her  that  he  died  u brave 
man.  I  asked  him  if  he  was  a  Christian,  and  told  him  to  pray,  wliich^ 
he  did,  with  the  cannon  thundering  a  deadly  accompaniment.  Poor 
fellow.  llfcrgot  his  request  in  the  excitement.  •  His  legs  were  literally 
cut  to  pieces.  As  our  men  returned,  the  enemy  poured  in  their  fire, 
and  I  was  hardly  30  feet  from  the  mouth  of  the  cannon.  Minnie  balls 
filled  the  stump  I  was  behind,  and  the  shells '  bursted  within  three  feet 
of  me.  One  was  so  near  it  stunne^  me/'and  burned  my  face  with  pow- 
der. The  grape-shot  hewedj^*ge  pieces  off  my  stump,  gradually 
wearing  it  away.  I  endured  the  horrors  of  death  here  for  half  an  hour, 
and  endeavored  to  resign  myself  and  prayed.  ^)ur  trogps  formed  iu 
s«  ,  line  in  the  woods,  and  advanced  a  second  time*  to  the  'charge  with 
^jiieers.  They  began  firing  when  about  h€lf  way,  and  I  had  to  endure 

*  it  all.     I  was  feigning  death.     I  was  right  between  our  own  and  the 

•  enemies  fire.     In  the  first  charge  our  men  did  not  fire  a  gun,  but 
chareed  across  the  ditch,  and  to,  the  very  mouth  of  the  cannon,  with 
the  bayonet.     So  also  the  second  charge,  but  they  fired.  ^Thank  God, 
I  am  unhurt,  and  I  think  it  was  a  merciful  Providence.     Our  troops 
charged  by,  when  I  seized  a  rifle  and  endeavored  to  fire  it  se'veral  times, 
but  could  not,  for  the  cap  was  bad.     Our  boys  were  shot  down  like 
hogs,  and  could  not  stand  it,  and  fell  back  each  man  for  himself.     Then 
the  same  scene  was  enacted  as  before.     This  time  the  Yankees  charged 
after  them,  and  as  I  had  no  chance  at  all,  and  all  around  me  were  sur-  < 
rendering,  I  Was  compelled  to  do  so,  as  a  rascal  threatened  to  shoot  me. 
I  had  to  give    up  my  sword  to  him.     He  demanded  my  watch  also. 

|[Cook  it;  but  I  appealed  to  an  officer,  and  got  it  back.     I  had  no  means 

c-o%  defending  myself  for  the  first  time  in  many  years.     I  cried  to  see 

our  brave  men  slaughtered  so,  and  thought  where  Catesby  might  be. 

I  have  never  felt  so  in-  all  my  life.     It  is  now  said  that  our  Brigade 

t. 

% 


THE    NINTH    REGIMENT.  43 

was 'never  ordered  to  charge  such  a  place,  and  that  it  wq,s  a  mistake. 
If  so,  it  was  a  sad  one.  Being  brought  behind  the  works  we  found 
three  .Regiments  drawn  up  in  line,  and  all  of  them  were  fighting  our 
42 d  Alabama  alone.  I  helped  to  carry  a  wounded  man  to  the  Depot, 
with  Lieutenants  Marshall,  Contra  and  Preston,  they  being  the  only 
unhurt  officers  who  were  prisoners  from  our  Regiment.  *P\Ve  and  the 
privates  were  soon  marched  to  a  large  house,  having  a  partition  for  the 
officers.  The  men,  about  400,  in  next  room.  I  heard  firing  again, 
but  I  fear  we  can  do  nothing.  We  are  treated  very  politely — more  so 
than  I  had  expected." 

Perhaps  the  reader  is  now  ready  to  ask  what  this  long  extract  from 
a  secesh  officer's  journal,  has  to  do  with  the  history  of  the  9th  111.  Inffc. 
Well,  it  is  not  very  intimately  connected  with  it.  But  it  has  been 
preserved  by  the  boysnn  the  .Regiment,  and  all  agree  that  it  gives  a 
very  correct  account  of  that 'terrible  battle.  It  has,  however,  this 
connection  with  our  history:  It  shows  the  desperate  nature  of  thai 
struggle,  in.  which  our  boys  took  so.  active  a  part.  It  shows  that  they 
had  a  foe  to  contend  with,  full  of  courage  and  who  fought  with  des- 
peration. V  $• 

It  was  truly  a  terrible  battle.  OUQ  officer  who  was  on  the  ground, 
told  me  that  he  at  one  time  thought  the  rebels  would  succeed  in  driving 
us  out. 

The  loss  sustained  by  the  9th  Regt.  111.  Inft.  in  this  terrible  conflict,  ^ 
was  20  killed  and  82  wounded.  Captain  Britt  was  among  ,the  killed. 
The  following  officers  were  among  th^vounded:  Major  Kuhn:  Adjt. 
Klock,  Captains  Kneffner  and  feobiSBn,  and  Lieutenants  Rollmann, 
Williford,  Clements  and  Cowgill.  There  were  57  captured,  including 
Captains  E.  M.  and  G.  G.  Low,  and  Lieutenants  S.  T.  Hughs  and  B. 
L.  Ulen. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  killed  and  wounded,  in  the  various 
companies : 

COMPANY  A. — Kitted,  Charles  Gibrich — 1.  Wounded,  William 
Kortkamp — 1 

COMPANY  B. — luUcd,  Joseph  Cropp  and  Jacob  Sulzer. — 2.  Wound- 
ed, Captain  Kneffner,  Anton  Weeustroth,  Sergeant  John  Ei.chenberglP, 
Corporal  Louis  Fisftr,  Paul  Geist,  Ed.  Hoffmann,  George  Jenrie, 
Nicholaus  Meyer,  Jos.  Noelsner,$eorge  Salz,  Daniel  Werner,  Sergeant 
Augustus  Wurmb.  In  all,  12  wounded.  4 

COMPANY  C. — 7v7/AW,  Corporal  John  Angeniann,  and  Frederich 
'Hugenberg. — 2.      Wounded,  1st  Lieutenant  Oscar  Rollnian,  2d  Lieut*^ 
Charles  Sheve,  Privates  John  Miller,  Peter  Schneider,  John  Frietz, 
Christian  Jackob,  Christian  Maedel,  Henry  Bchrn,  and,  Jacob  Herpein. 
In  all,  9  wounded. 


44  A   HISTORY   OF 

COMPANY  P. — Killed,  Jacob  Berthold,  Hy.  Borchording,  John 
Smith,  Christ  Trutiog,  Louis  Truttinan.  In  all,  5  killed.  A  number 
were  slightly  wounded — names  not  given. 

COMPANY  K —  Wounded,  Corporal  Francis  J.  Murphy,  Privates 
William  T.  tmmley,  Jack  L.  Stevens,  James  F.  Williams,  James 
Malone,  John  Lill,  John  Beatty,  William  P.  Kelley,  JSTeal  Vestal.  In 
all,  9  wounded. 

COMPANY  F. — Killed,  Captain  William  Britt,  Privates  John  0. 
Foeshee,  and  Fred.  Weggourd.  In  all,  3  killled.  Wounded,  Sergt. 
W.  C.  Hawly,  Corp.  James  Fiske,  Private  WilliarP Miller.  In  all,  3 
wounded. 

COMPANY  Gl. — Killed,  Alferd  Bartley  and  tlohn  McCord.  In  all, 
2  killed.  'Wounded,  Lieutenant  I.  Clements,  Henry  Brown,  James  A. 
Peragin,  William  J.  Heglar,  Robert  Marshall,  N.  G.  Brown.  In  all, 
6  wounded. 

COMPANY  H. — Killed,  Sani'l  Giesinger,  John  B.  Livingood,  Sebas- 
tian Swendeman.  In  all,  3  killed.  Wounded,  1st  Lieutenant  C.  H. 
Gilmore,  2d  Lieutenant  A.  Cowgill,  James  Brady,  William  S.  Boone, 
Dennis  Bahon,  Charles  Biernbrier,  William  A.  Cottingham,  Robert 
Finley,  Israel  Haller,  Charles  H.  Newconib,  George  W.  Quails,  "Win. 
Reckord,  Francis  M.  Stickle,  0.  W.  Boutwell,  Venice  C.  Haller,  Am- 
brose J.  Shelton,  Jos.  W.  Warren:  In  all,  17  wounded. 

COMPANY  I. —  Wounded.  Thomas  Pat.  William  Baird,  John  Jtfka, 
James  Lang,  Jos.  E.  Stringer,  tn  all,  5  wounded. 

COMPANY  K. — Killed,  James  Ulen. — 1.  Wounded,  George  Myers, 
Levi  Gibbs,  Henry  Stanger,  John  Burke,  Charles  W.  Boles,  Jos .  N. 
Coneden,  Peter  Hall,  Sani'l  C.  Ulen,  Frank  M.  Winsted.  In  all,  9 
wounded. 

The  enemy  driven  from  Corinth,  our  Regiment  was  again  thrown 
out  on  the  front,  a  position  it  had  been  occupying  for  some  time  before 
the  battle.  On  the  8th  of  October,  it  moved  South  to  Danville,  Miss-., 
and  on  the  next  day  the  left  wing,  Companies  K,  I,  H,  G,  and  F, 
m$ed  on  to  Rienzi.  Col.  Mersy  took  command  of  all  the  troops  at 
Rienzi,  and  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips,  who  had  now  rejoined  the  Regiment, 
after  his  severe  wound  at  Shiloh,  of  the  forces  at  Danville.  The  Regi- 
ment, with  other  troops  of  .the  2d  Brigade,  performed  outpost  duty  at 
the  above  named  places  until  the  28th  of  November,  1862,  when  they 
.^returned  and  went  into  camp  at  Corinth,  Miss. 

On  the  12th  of  December,  the  Regiment  moved  Southward  again, 
going  within  five  miles  of  Tupelo,  Miss.,  and  returned  to  camp  afc 
Corinth  on  the  J.9th  of  the  same  month;  Col.  Mersy  being  in  command 


THE   NINTH   REGIMENT.  45 

of  the  2d  Brigade,  and  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips  in  command  of  the  Regiment, 
On  the  2d  day  of  January.  1863,  we  moved  three  and  a  half  miles 
East  of  Monterey,  and  bivouacked  for  the  night,  and  returned  to  camp 
the  next  day;  Gen.  Forrest  and  his  command  having  escaped  across 
the  river.  The  Regiment  remained  in  camp  until  Maroh,  not  having 
much  duty,  except  guard  duty. 

During  the  period  embraced  in  this  chapter,  some  interesting  inci- 
dents occurred.  As  I  mentioned  above,  the  two  Captains  Low,  and 
Lieutenant  Hughafljbgether  with  a  considerable  number  of  privates., 
were  taken  prisoner^  I  have  given  extensive  extracts  from  the  journal 
of  a  Rebel  prisoner,  showing  the  horrors  of  the  battle-field.  It  may 
not  be  amiss  to  refer  to  some  things  connected  with  the  prison-life  of 
some  of  our  boys,  who  were  captured  in  this  battle  at  Corinth. 

The  scene,  as  described  by  Captain  Gr.  Gr.  Low,  to  the  writer,  beggary' 
description.  The  horrors  of  their  retreat  was  terrible.  The  Captain 
thinks  if  Napoleon's  retreat  from  Moscow  was  much  more  terrible,  he 
does  not  know  how  it  was  endured  at  all.  But  I  shall  here  allow  the 
Captain  to  speak  for  himself,  by  giving  extracts  from  a  written  state- 
ment, which  he  kindly  furnished  me,  of  his  prison  life : 

"On  the  morning  of  the  3d  of  October,  1862,  our  Regiment  received 
orders  to  move  early  in  the  morning.  We  had  moved  up  the  day 
before  from  Rienzi,  to  within  2$  miles  of  Corinth.  As  we  approached 
Corinth,  wo  could  occasionally  hear  the  boom  of  distant  cciinmn.  Con- 
jecture was  rife  as  to  what  it  meant, 'so  little  did  we  expect  an  action. 
We  passed  through  Corinth,  and  to  the  outer  Works  on  the  West  of  it. 
Sometime  before  we  obtained  our  position  behind  the  rifle-pits,  three 
had  been  heavy  fighting  on  <*ir  left.  .We  took  our  position  here,  feel- 
ing confident  we  could  hold  it  against  a  vastly  superior  force.  The 
enemy  were  gradually  approaching  from  the  front,  and  our  line  was 
being  engaged,  when  I  noticed  a  panic  in  my  company.  I  was  on  the 
extreme  left  of  our  Regiment.  Many  of  my  men  broke  out  of  the  ditch 
and  started  back.  I  ordered  every  man  back  to  his  place.  They  told 
me  the  12th  111.  and  81st  OMp  were  running.  I  told  them  it  mattered 
not;  we  would  stay  there  unwl  we  were  ordered  away.  I  saw  a  change 
of  front  was  necessary,  and  expected  to  hear  the  order  to  change  front 
to  rear,  on  first  company.  But  it  did  not  come-  Soon  after,  I  heard 
the  order  to  move  by  the  right  flank;  but  it  was  too  late.  Already  the 
enemy  were  in  our  rear.  I  saw  it  would  be  death  for  my  men  to 
attempt  to  leave  their  position,  and  I  surrendered  with  seventeen  of  my 
command. 

"We  were  moved' back  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile.  I  found  that 
Captain  C.  M.  Lowe  and  Lieutenant  L_  T.  Hughes  of  our  Regiment, 
were  captured.  We  were  placed  under  guard  at  or  near  a  house. 
Here  a  woman  abused  us  very  much.  She  insisted  that  Captain  Lowe 
was  the  mean  Yankee  that  was  there  the  night  before  and  stole  her 


4(3  A   HISTORY    OF 

chickens.  The  Captain  assured  her  that  he  had  never  been  there 
before,  and  that  she  must  be  mistaken.  She  was  certain  he  was  the 
man,  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  guard,  she  would  have  pitched  into 
him  rough-shod.  1  think  she  vra.s  as  hard  a  specimen  of  the  fair-sex 
as  I  have  ev#seen  in  the  Sunny  South;  and  I  have  seen  many  that 
outraged  decency  and  forever  disgraced  the  name  of  woman. 

"After  the  excitement  of  the  battle  was  over,  or  rather  of  the  scenes 
through  which  we  passed  that  day,  we  had  time  to  reflect.  Here  we 
were,  prisoners. or  war,  held  by  a  mofcjey  set  of  human  beings  that,  as 
far  as  outward  appearances  were  concerned,  wojl|  be  a  disgrace  to 
barbarians.  I  wondered, ''Is  this  the  boasted  «|plry  of  the  South,, 
sent  out  to  fight  the  hated  poor  men  of  the  North,  the  'mud-sills'  and 
•<j  >••-«  *i/  mechanics?"  When  I  saw  my  poor  boys,  dressed  in  their  blue 
uniform,  contrasted  with  these  rag-a-mumns,  I  felt  proud  of  them. 

"The  "Rebs"  had  great  stories  to  tell  us.  Bragg  had  captured 
Louisville  and  all  Buell's  army.  t  1^  iiad  captured  Little  Mac.  and 
*  40,000  prisoners.  Governor  (Jamb^»  of  Missouri,  had  turned  over 
40,000  troops,  well  armed  and  equipped,  to  the  Southern  Confederacy; 
and  they  had  come  with  7*),000  men  to  capture  Corinth,  and  drive 
Grant  out  of  West  Tennessee,  and  the  war  woul$  be  over  in  a  few  dajrs. 
All  were  jubilant. 

"At  night,  we  moved  in  the  woods  about  a  mile,  and  were  consoled 
with  a  lot  of  wounded  of  both  armies.  About  9  o'clock  at  night,  the 
news  came  back  that  they  had  captured  Corinth,  and  we  would  be 
moved  up  there  in  the  morning.  About  this  time;  Col.  Prevene,  of  a 
South  Carolina.  Regiment,  came  to  see  us,'^he  was  a  Mason,)  and -took 
Capt.  Lowe  and  myself  outside  the  lines  and  had  a  long  talk  wi^i  us. 
He  assured  us  that  Corinth  wasfcot  taken,  and  that  it  would  not  be; 
and  further,  that  G-en.  VanDorn  was  (to  use  his  own  language)  a  d — d 
fool  for  attacking  the  place.  To-night  we  had  nothing  to  eat,  excepta 
cup  of  coffee  that  a  Rebel  Lieutenant  made  for  us.  I  furnished  tire 
cofee.  We  passed  a  restless  night. 

"  The  morning  of  the  4th  dawned,  and  was  ushered  in  with  the  boom 
of  heavy  cannon.  This  assured  us  that  the  place  was  not  taken,  but 
that  they  had  approached  very  near  it,  as  we  could  hear  the  guns  of 
the  forts.  The  cannonading  and  musketry  was  incessant  from  daylight 
!  until  about  1  P.  M.  At  that  time,  orders  came  to  move  us  back  to  the 
rear.  We .  took  up  our  line  of  marcfy  fb  Dixie.  Although  we  were 
prisoners  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  yet  we  were  jubilant.  We  knew 
they  had  been  repulsed;  that  the  stars  and  stripes  had  again  been 
triumphant;  and  though  we  had  a  prison-life,  and  even  starvation 
staring  us  in  the  face,  yet  there  was  not  a  man  despondent.  We  were 
then  suffering  for  something  to  .cat,  but  we  knew  the  "rebs."  were 
suffering  even  more  than**e  were;  for  they  had  nothing  to  eat  when 
they  attacked  Corinth,  and  their  only  hope  for  something,  was  the 
capture  of»  the  place.  In  this  they  had  failed.  The  retreat  soon  be- 
came a  rout.  Neither  tongue  nor  pen  can'describe  the  sufferings  during 
that  memorable  retreat.  Wagons,  with  six  mules  attached,  were  filled  with 
the  wounded  and  dying,  and  the  cowardly  drivers  whipping  their  niule» 


THE   NINTH   REGIMENT.  47 

at  every  jump.  The  groans  of  the  dying  and  the  curses  of  the  wounded 
were  enough  to  make  the  knees  of  terror  tremble.  One  would  thinkT 
that  if  human  ^suffering  would  expiate  the  crime  of  treason,  all  this 
army  should  be  forgiven;  for  they  suffered  from  hunger,  thirst,  fatigue, 
and  all  the  ills  that  follow  a  defeated,  routed,  broken  and  disheartened 
army.  I  could  not  help  feeling  sorry  for  the  panic  stricken  wretches. 

"At  night,  we  camped  about  twelve  miles  from  Corinth,  on  a  little 
branch.  I  had  coffee  enough  to  make  us  a  cup  apiece.  This,  and  a 
few  crumbs  of  crackers,  was  all  w,e  had  for  twelve  of  us — eight  Federal 
officers  and  four  EjjH  officers."  (It  will  be  remembered *they  had  9W 
nothing  to  eat  th^^B  before,  and  very  little  on  the  preceding  day.) 
"We  camped  neaj  fj^iouse,  and  there  was  a  rooster,  the  only  chicken 
left  on  the  premises^  We  offered  five  dollars  for  it.  The  woman  would 
not  let  us  have  it. 

"On  the  morning  of  the  5th  of  October,  we  again  moved,  escorted 
by  a  company  of  the  liebel  J£kuris  cavalry,  under  comman(|pf  Gapt, 
Douglass.  Let  me  mention  her^pthat  Capt.  D.  did  all  in  his  power  to 
make  his  prisoners  comfortable.  While  we  were  being  marched  back 
on  the  afternoon  of  the  4th,  an  aid  of  Gen.  VanDorn's  rode  up  and 
told  him  to  move  the  prisoners  foster.  He  sajcl, '  If  I  move  them  faster 
they  will  fall  down  from  exhaustion.'  The  aid  replied,  'Let  them  fall, 
and  be  d — d.  Shoot  them  if  you  cannot  get  them  along.'  But  the 
CaptaiiFtook  his  own  guit,  and  treated  all  kindly.  As  we  marched 
along  this  forenoon  we  saw  a  great  number  of  their  wounded  on^H  sides 
of  the  road.  About  1  o'clock  we  came  in  sight  of  Hatchie  Bridge. 


We  halted /or  a  few  momenfc,  ancksoon  we  heard  Anting  in  front  of 
us.  We  were  taken  back  about  one  mile,  and  haltecT in  a  hollow.  We 
had  been  there  but  a  lew  moments,  when  riHc  shells  came  whistling  in 
•sucn.  close  proximity  that  we  had  "to  retire  further  back.  Soon  we  saw 
the  liebel  mass  come  running  back  in,  if  possible,  greater  confusion 
than  the  day  before.  They  thought  t^e  whole  liebel  army  .would  be 
capturecl.  They  took  up  the  HatchieWbout  ten  mil§s  and  crossed  us, 
and  we  halted  about  12  o'clock  that  night,  near  Ruckersville,  Miss. 
Here  they  killed  a  beef  weighing  about  800  pounds,  for  the  o20  pris- 
oners and  their  guards,  in  all  over  400.  We  had  had  nothing  to  eat 
that  day  but  raw  corn.  We  ate  the  beef  without  salt. 

"On  the  morning  of  the  6th,  we  started  towards  Ripley,  without 
anything  else  to  eat. 
gave  us  a  very  little 
the  following  mornin 
Miss.  The  day  was  very  hot  and  the  roads  dusty.  Add  to  this,  the 
suffering  from' hunger,  and  it  w^uld  be  hard  to  describe  the  amount  of 
suffering  tfce  men  endured.  We  camped  at  nj^it  near  a  Mr.  Robinson'* 
(To-day  we  had  to  march  about  nine  miles  qjc  of  the  way,  on  account 
of  some  one  destroying  a  bridge  in  the  rear  of  the  retreating  army.) 
Th^  officers  got  a  very  good  supper  at  Mr.  Il.'.s.  by  paying  one  dollar 
each,  in  Greenbacks.  He  would  not  take  anything  else.  The  men  got 
but  little  to  eat. 

"On  the  morning  of  the  7th,  the  officers  hired  a  teaaa  to  take  them 


48  A   HISTORY   OF 

to  Holly  Springs,  for  which  they  paid  $20.  We  arrived  there  at  11 
o'clock  at  niglit.  Here  we  were  taken  to  Col.  Roddy's  Head  Quarters, 
He  said  he  was  surprised  that  we,  being  North-western  men,  were 
iiii'litinir  Southern  men.  Captain  Lowe  told  him  that  we  were  not  in  a 
condition  to  resent  an  insult,  and  did  not  wish  to  be  insulted.  This 
Bended  the  conversation. 

"The  nexfc  evening  we  started  by  Railroad,  under  guard,  for  Jack- 
son. Miss.,  arriving  there  about  10  A.  M.,  on  the  Oth  of  October. 
Here  we  were  taken  before  General  Thillman,and  paroled  for  that  city 
and  Vieksburg.  We  had  good  rooms  at  the  bni  hotel  in  Jackson. 
On  the  morning  of  the  10th  we  took  cars  for  Vj^H>urg,.  On  this  trip 
we  had  no  guard,  except  one  Rebel  Captain,  trofp-rrived  at  Vieksburg 
about  1  o'clock,  and  were  quartered  at  the  'Washington  Hotel/  We 
were  limited  to  certain  streets.  Otherwise  we  had  our  liberty.  Our 
fare  at  the  hotel  was  corn  bread,  corn  coffee,  fresh  beef  and  molasses. 
The  ladies  were  allowed  wheat  bread,  and  when  tne  darkies  could  do 
so  without  being  detected  by  their v^p^ster,  they  would  supply  us  with 
that  luxury.  On  the  whole,  we  were  treated  pretty  well  by  the  'Rebs/ 
We  found  them  generally  dispirited;  but  said  they  thought  they 
never  could  be  conquered,  &c. 

On  the  18th  of  October,  we  were  paroled,  and  started  up  the  river 
to  meet  our  flag  of  truce  boat.  The  sight  of  the  old  "flag  and  hard  bread 
created  great  joy  among  our  men.  Hard  treatment,  under  a  flag  of 
treasotwhad  endeared  the  old  flag  to  them.  A  scanty  supply  of  corn 
bread,  and  beef  without  salt,  made  'hard  tack'  look  and  taste  like  the 
best  food  cooked.  On  the  morning  of  the  19th  of  October,  1862.  we 
took  our  course  up  the  river  for  'God's  country/'* 

A  little  incident  narrated  by  Private  Neal  Vestal,  of  Co.  E,  who  was 
taken  prisoner  at  the  same  time  with  Captain  Lowe,  is  worth  noting. 
When  the  Rebs.  were  attacked  by  General  Hurlbut,  at  the  Hatchie  on 
the  5th  of  October,  and  a  panl§  was  arising,  a  Rebel  Captain'  passing 
by  Neal,  he  inquired,  good  naturedly,  "Well,  Captain,  what  are  yo^a 
going  to  do  with  us  now?"  His  reply  was,  "If  I  had  my  way,  I  would 
shoot  you/'  At  which  Neal  replied,  "I  bet  six  bits  that  man  was  not 
in  the  fight."  At  this  response  went  up  all  along  the  line,  "That  is 
true!'" 


THE   NINTH  REGIMENT*  49 


CHAPTER    VI. 

FROM  THE  MOUNTING  OF  THE  REGIMENT  TO  LEAVING  POCAHONTA8, 


Regiment  mounted — Scout  to  Tuscuonbia,  with  its  Jive,  engagements — 
Scout  to  Florence,  with  tiro  engagements — Move  camp  to  Pocalion- 
tas— Scout  to  New  Albany,  destroying  the  town — Mud  Creek  scout 
and  battle, —  Scout  ip  Jark*on,*ind  battle- -Scout  to  Ripley — Seoul 
to •  Trc.nto n^Tenn.-"- about  to  Grenada — /?«/*/  to  Grenada* — Commis- 
sions and -promotions — Battles  of  Salem,  Graham's  Milk  and  Wy-- 
att's — List  of  killed  <m<l  iroinuled — Incidents. 

Our  Government,  by  the  beginning  of  1863,  began  to  see  the  neces- 
sity of  having  a  larger  mounted  force.  It  was  proposed  that  ujttfy  of 
the  Infantry  Regiments  should  be  mounted  for  scouting  purposes. 
Lieut.  Col.  Phillips  made  application  to  have  the  9th  111.  Inft.  mounted. 
He  was  told  that  it  could  be  mounted  on  mules,  but  not  on  horses. 
He  replied  that  he  would  prefer  the  mules,  as  they  would  endure  more 
hard  usage, and  require  less  care.  Hence,  on  the  15th  of  March,  1863, 
Lieut.  Col.  Phillips,  commanding  Regiment,  received  orders  to  inount 
his  command,  on  mules,  fpr  scouting  purposes.  The  Regiment  was  all 
mounted  by  the  20th  of  March. 

Col,  M$rsy  was  in  command  of  the  2d  Brigade^  and  Lieut.  Col. 
Phillips  of  the  Regiment.  This  arrangement  still  continues,  to  the 
present  date. 

Sergeant  George  Rhuland,  of  Company  A,  was  commissioned  as  1st 
Lieutenant  of  said  company.  He  ranks  from  March  20th,  1863,  the 
date  of  the  receipt  of  his  commission. 

The  Regiment  was  paid  on  the  26th  of  August,  by  Major  Phelps,for 
the  months«of  May  and  June. 

On  the  14th  of  April,  the  Regiment  received  orders  to  be  ready  to 
move  by  daylight  the  next  morning.     The  order  was  afterwards  changed 
to  moving  in  half  an  hour.     We  were  soon  on  the  way  towards  Glen-  - 
dale,  where  the  rebels  had  made  a  dash  on  a  small  body  of  the  64th 
111.  Yols.     We  reached  Glendale  a  little  too  late,  as  Col.  Coruyn  had 
driven  the   enemy  and  started  in   pursuit.     The  Regiment  hastened   v 
forward  and  found  him  at  Yellow  Stone  Creek.    'We  were  delayed  one 
a-half  hours  in   crossing  this  very  muddy  stream.     Hence,  we 

ouaeked  for  the  night  two  miles  beyond.  Moved  forward  rapidly, 
on  the  15th,  and  bivouacked  within  four  miles  of  Big  Bear  Creek,  on 
the  opposite  bank  of  which,  we  were  informed,  there  was  y^  large  body 

M 


50  A   HISTORY   OF 

of  the  enemy.  We  awaited  here,  on  the  16th,  the  Arrival  of  the  Infan- 
try force  from  (%inth.  All  having  arrived,  we  moved  rapidly,  early 
on  the  morning  of  the  17th.  After  "shelling  the  woods"  for  a  short 
time  with  our  rifled  pieces,  the  following  mounted  forces,,  viz:  10th 
Missouri  Cavalry,  battallion  of  the  15th  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  the-  9th 
Illinois  Mounted  Infantry,  dashed  rapidly  across  the  creek.  Captain 
Richardson  was'  throwing  shell  over  our  heads  at  an  imaginary  force 
across  the  creek.  As  he  did  not  stop  soon  .enough,  a  number  of  his 
shell  flew  among  our  men,  but  fortunately  I10|^K  was  'hurt.  As  soon 
as  all  the  mounted  force  was  over,  and  one  seclfMrof  Tamra Ill's  Battery. 
we  moved  forward  on  the  Tuscumbia  road. 

At  Dickson's  we  ran  upon  the  enemy's  videttes,  driving  them  back 
to  "Buzzard  Roost"  or  "Cherokee  Bluffs,"  where  they  made  a  stand, 
and^je  place  being  naturally  strong,  our  shell  could  not  dislodge  them. 
Consequently,  the  9th  111.  MounteS' Infantry  was  dismounted,  and  de- 
ployed as  skirmishers.  They  advanced  rapidly  to  within  one  hundred 
,  yards  of  the  bluff,  and  then  the  right  wing  swung  around  on  the  left 
flank  of  the  enemy,  compelling  them  to  leave  the  bluff  very  rapidly,  and 
in  great  disorder.  About  25  of  the  Rebels  were  killed,  wounded  arid 
captured.  Our  loss  was  five  slightly  wounded,  none  disabled.  The 
weather  being  intensely  hot,  the  horses  in  the  section  of  battery  with 
us,  became  too  much  exhausted  to  move  -further.  Their  ammunition 
was  also  about  exhausted.  The  two  guns  were  consequently  left  at 
this  place  to  await  the  arrival  oiLthe  main  force.  Lieutenant  Krebs, 
with  Co.  D,  was  left  to  support  the  guqs,  in  case  of  an  attack.  There 
were  also  seven  men  of  Co.  I  left  here  to  guard  the  prisoners. 

Immediately  after  crossing  the  creek,  one  company  of  the  10th  Mo., 
and  one  of  the  9th  III.,  were  ordered  to  move  two  miles  out  on  our  left 
flank,  and  break  up  a  camp  of  the  enemy  said  to  be  in  that  direction. 
Lieutenant  Patterson,  with  Co.  E  of  our  Regiment,  was  ordered  on  that 
expedition.  This  detachment  drove  the  rebels  from  their  camp,  toward 
their  main  body  on  the  Tuscumbia  road.  This  body  of  the  enemy,  250 
strong,  came  upon  the  two  guns  of  Tamrath's  Battery  that  we  had  left 
at  Cherokee  Bluffs,  and  before  the  guns  could  get  to  us,  they,  and  all 
of  Co.  D,  except  three  men,  and  the  seven  men  of  Co.  I,  were  captured, 
"We  moved  rapidly  back,  and  succeeded  in  recapturing  one  of  the  guns 
in  "Lundy's  Lane.'' 

Col.  Cameron,  of  the  1st  Alabama  Regiment,  (loyal,)  was  killed  hdte 
in  the  charge.  The  Rebels  fled  to  the  timber  on  our  left,  beyond  tSe 
reach  of  our  muskets,  and  too  far  off  for  the' effective  firing  of  the 
"  Mountain  howitzers," 


• 

THE 'NINTH   REGIMENT.  51 

Col.  Cornyn  now  ordered  us  to  fall  back  and  rejoin  the  main  body, 
as  we  nu-mbered  only  1200  all  told,  while  the  enemy  were  riot  less  than 
2500  strong.  Scarcely,  h(  wever,  had  we  left  "Lundy's  Lane/'  before 
the  enemy  filed  out  of  the  timber  and  formed  a  line  across  the  open 
field,  threatening  our  reaj.  The  advance  of  the  Infantry  force  being 
now  only  one  mile  back,  we  turned  about  and  confronted  our  foe.  The 
9th  111.  Lift,  dismounted,  and  moved  around  to  the  left  flank  of  the 
enemy's  line,  while  the  cavalry  charged  their  front.  They  broke  and 
fled  beyond  aliigh  ridue.  and  we  advanced  rapidly  and  took  possession 
of  the  ridge.  In  the  meantime,  Gol.  Bane's  Brigade,  and  Welker's 
Battery  came  rapidly  on  the  field,  unobserved  and  unknown  to  the 
Rebels.  This  Brigade  was  immediately  posted  as  follows :  The  50th 
111.  behind  a  high  grading  of  the  Railroad  and  to  the  left  of  tte^ppen 
field,  on  which  the  Rebels  had  formed  their  line  previous  to  being"  driven 
back  by  our  Cavalry;  the  7th  111.  Inft.  were  moved  in  the  timber, 
around  to  the  right  of  the  field,  and  a  little  further  advanced  than  the 
50th;  the  57th  111.  were  held  in  reserve.  Th^  Cavalry  received  orders 
to  fall  back  rapidly,  and  in  apparent  confusion,  as  soon  as  the  enemy 
should  appear  on  the  ridge. 

This  disposition  being  made  of  the  forces,  the  9th  111.  Inft.  fell  back 
100  yards,  to  .a  fence  overgrown  with  bushes,  and  lay  concealed  behind 
it.  The  Rebels  advanced  with  loud  shouts,  and  planted  a  12-pound 
Howitzer  on  the  ridge.  Our  Cavalry  hastily  retreated,  and  the  enemy 
believing  victory  certain,  dashed  gallantly  ahead,  when  the  50th  and 
7th  111.  Regiments  opened  on  them  a  deadly  fire.  About  the  same  time, 
•  a  body  of  the  enemy  appeared  on  the  left  of  the  Railroad  on  the  ridge. 
They  were  opened  upon  by  the  9th  111.  The  contest  was  not  long.  In 
less  than  ten  minutes,  the  whole  body  of  the  Rebels  were  in  rapid  retreat 
towards  Cane  Creek. 

The  loss  of  die  enemy  was,  according  to  their  own  statement,  17 
killed,  50  wounded,  and  23  taken  prisoners.  The  9th  111.  lost  5  wounded 
and  59  captured  (Co.  D.)  The  entire  Union  loss  was  3  killed,  10 
wounded,  and  75  captured. 

Night  now  coming  on,  we'bivouacked  near  the  battle-field.  On  the 
18th,  after  a  reconnoisance  in  front,  and  finding  the  enemy  in  strong 
position  n^^Cane  Creek,  our  whole  force  fell  back  to  Bear  Creek,  and 
went  into  camp. 

|  On  the  19th,  Companies  E  and  1?  were  sent,  as  escort  to  a  train,  to 
Eastport  Landing.  The  rest  of  the  Regiment,  with  the  whole  mounted 
force,  moved  circuitously  to  "Buzzard  Roost,"  and  found  the  enemy, 
under  Roddy,  occupying  the  same  position  as  on  the  17th  at  Cherokee 


I 

62  A  HISTORY      D* 

Bluff.  Our  Regiment  was  again  deployed  as  skirmishers,  in  the  same 
manner  as  before.  After  fifteen  minutes  skirmishing,  we  drove  the 
enemy  from  his  position,  killing,  wounding  and  capturing  13  of  them, 
and  losing  none. 

We  then  returned  to  camp  at  Bear  Creek,  taking  with  us  a  drove  of 
cattle  and  sheep.  On  the  20th  of  April,  the  7th  Kansas  Cavalry  joined 
us,  and  on  the  next  day  the  Ohio  Brigade,  Col.  Fuller  commanding. 
Our  entire  column  moved  forward  on  the  morning  of  the  23d,  and 
crossed  Cane  Creek  without  opposition-  the  Rebejp  having  fallen  back 
to  Little  Bear  Creek.  Here  General  Dodge  offered  battle,  but  they 
declined,  and  we  bivouacked  for  the  night.  -We  moved  forward  again 
on  the  24th,  the  enomy  continually,  falling  back,  not  even  making  a 
feeble  resistance  at  Little  Bear  Creek,  although  the  position  was  a  very 
strong  one. 

On  nearing  the  town  of  Tuscumbia,  the  enemy,  under  Forrest,  left 
on  the  Decatur  road.  CoL  Cornyn  was  ordered  forward  after  them, 
with  the  10th  Mo.  Cavalry,  the  7th  Kansas  Cavalry,  and  the  1st  Ala- 
bama Cavalry.  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips,  with  two  companies  of  Cavalry, 
two  companies  of  9th  111.  Inft.,  viz :  A  and  B,  and  two  guns  of  Ta'rn- 
rath's  Battery,  was  ordered  to  move  up  to  Florence,  and  capture  the 
town.  He  proceeded  to  that  place  with  his  command.  Arriving  on 
the  bank  of  the  river,  opposite  the  town,  and  observing  a  small  force 
of  cavalry  in  Florence,  he  called  to  them  to  send  him  over  a  boat,  as  he 
desired  to  send  over  a  flag  of  truce.  They  replied,  telling  him  to  go  to 
that  place,  where  I  suppose  but  few,  if  any,  desire  to  go.  The  Col.  did 
not  feel  disposed,  at  least  to  obey  their  orders,  and  thinking  he  had  . 
that  with  which  he  could  enforce  obedience  to  his,  he  placed  his  two 
rifled  guns  in  position,  and*  made  a  second  demand  for  a  boat.  To  this 
he  received  the  same  reply  as  before.  Immediately 'he  opened  upon 
them  with  his  two-guns,  throwing  shell  into  the  town.  The  cavalry  on 
the  other  side  broke  and  run.  As  they  passed  up  the  street,  a  shell 
was  thrown  among  them,  killing  one  horse.  In  a  very  short  time, 
white  flags  were  hung  out' all  over  the  town.  In  the  meantime,  a  small 
raft  had  been  constructed,  on  which  a  flag  of  truce  was  sent  over,  and 
the  Mayor  of  the  town  made  a  formal  surrender.  The  object  of  de- 
manding the  surrender  was,  not  that  we  might  hold  the  p^ee.  but  that 
We  might  ascertain  whether  the  enemy  had  any  consideralJRbrce  there. 
The  desired  information  being  gained,  the  Col.  evacuated  it.  and  ra* 
turned  to  the  main  force  again. 

The  remainder  of  our  Regiment,  and  the  battalion  of  the  15th  III. 
Cavalry,  were  ordered  to  move  forward,  within  supporting  distance  of 


THE    NINTH   REGIMENT.  53 

Col.  Cornyn.  We  moved  forward  until  near  night,  and  not  being  able 
to  reach  him,  we  returned  to  Tuscumbia,  and  bivouacked.  At  10 
o'clock  that  night,  we  received  orders  to  move  out  rapidly  and  join 
Col.  Cornyn,  as  he  feared  the  enemy  would  come  upon  him,  too  strong, 
at  daylight,  his  forces  being  very  much  exhausted.  We  reached  him, 
beyond  Leightoa,  by  2:30  A.  M.,  on  the  25th,  and  at  daylight  the  whole 
force  returned  to  Tuscumbia. 

Our  Regiment  turned  over  200  mules  to  Col.  Straight,  on  the  26th, 
to  complete  the  mounting  of  his  force,  thus  dismounting  Companies  C, 
D,  E,  O,  H  and  K,  of  our  Regiment, 

On  the  morning  of  the  27th  April,  we  again  moved  forward,  toward 
Decatur,  to  attract  the  attention  of  Forrest,  until  Col.  Streight  had 
moved  entirely  around  his  left  flank  towards  Atlanta.  We  fc^Jl  the 
enemy  posted  at  Town  Creek,  four  miles  beyond  Leighton.  Soin^pcket 
skirmishing  took  place  before  night.  We  bivouacked  near  the  Creek. 
Early  on  the  morning  of  tlje  28th,  the  Rebels  haying  discovered  the 
position  of  the  dismounted  companies  of  our  Regiment,  opened  upon  us 
with  schrapuel,  compelling  us  to  fall  back  hurriedly  out  of  their  range. 
The  artillery  kept  up  a  constant  firing  all  day,  and  after  noon  a  part  of 
tlie  81st  Ohio  and  the  mounted  companies  of  the  9th  111,  crossed  over, 
at  the  Railroad  bridge,  and  drove  the  enemy  from  their  position. 

Col.  Straight  having  now  completely  passed  the  enemy,  our  entire 
column. moved  on  the  return  march,  on  the  morning  of  the  29th  April. 
Bivouacked  for  the  night  near  Little  Bear  Creek.  Reached  Big  Bear 
on  the  30th,  and  were  compelled  to  remain  in  camp  there  until  the 
evening  of  the  1st  of  May,  when  a  bridge  having  been  constructed,  we 
crossed  over  and  proceeded  up  the  Railroad  to  our  old  place  of  camping, 
four  miles  from  Big  Bear  Creek.  From  there  we  proceeded  on  the 
main  traveled  road  to  Burnsvilie,  reaching  that  place  sometime  after 
riight,  and  bivouacked.  On  the  morning  of  the  2d  May,  Lieut.  Col, 
Phillips,  with  the  four  mounted  companies,  viz:  A,  B,  I  and  F,  was 
ordered  to  report  to  Col.  Coruyn,  commanding  cavalry  force,  for  an 
expedition  to  Tupelo.  The  rest  of  the  Regiment  moved  forward,  at  10 
A.  M.,  and  reached  Corinth  by  2  P.  M. 

During  this  trip  the  Regiment  was  <*at  from  eamp  18  days,  and  had 
five  engagements  with  the  enemy — two  on  the  17th  of  April,  one  on  the 
19th,  one  on  the  27th,  and  one  on  the  4th  of  May.  The  great  object 
of  this  expedition,  was  to  divert  the  attention  of  the  enemy  until  CoL 
Streight,  who  was  fitting  up  an  expedition  for  a  grand  raid  into  Georgia, 
should  have  time  to  complete  the  mounting  of  his  nieiL,  and  get  well 
started  on  his  way. 


54  A   HISTORY   OF 

Lieut.  Col.  Phillips,  with  the  four  mounted  companies  of  our  Regi- 
ment, having  been  ordered  on  an  expedition  to  Tupelo,  separated  from 
the  remaining  companies  at  Burnsville,  on  the  2d  of  May,  and  proceeded 
to  Tupelo.  Had  a  skirmish  with  the  enemy  there,  and  rejoined  the 
Regiment  at  camp.  May  7th. 

Quartermaster  Korn  died  of  disease  May  6th,  1863.  Dr.  Guelick 
and  Captain  Hawes  were  detailed  on  the  7th  of  May,  the  former  to 
Fort  Henry,  and  the  latter  to  Memphis.  Dr.  Win.  A,  Allen,  2d  Assis- 
tant Surgeon,  appointed  by  the  Governor  of  Illinois,  reported  for  duty 
on  the  12th,  and  was  mustered  into  the  service,  to  rank  from  that  date. 

On  the  13th  of  May,  the  Regiment  moved  into  the  barracks  formerly 
occupied  by  the  39th  Ohio,  one  mile  sout-east  from  Corinth. 

Oofejthe  l;">th  <>f  May,  Brig.  (Jen.  Thomas.  Adjutant  General  U.  8. 
A  misaddressed  the  soldiers  at  Corinth,  announcing  and  advocating 
the  policy  of  the  Government  in  regard  to  freeing  and  arming  the 
negroes.  His  remarks  met  with  a  hearty  approval  by  nine- tenths  of 
the  soldiers  at  the  military  post  of  Corinth. 

May  26th,  our  Regiment  being  again  all  mounted,  we  were  ordered 
to  report  to  Col.  Cornyn,  commander  of  Cavalry  Brigade,  at  10 
A.  M.'  Moved  immediately  thereafter,  on  the  Corinth  and  Hamburg 
road,  toward  Hamburg  Landing.  We  reached  that  place  and  began 
to  cross  the  Tennessee  River  about  dark,  the  9th  111.  crossing  over  first- 
Our  Regiment  all  got  over  by  2  A.  M.,  of  the  27th,  and  the  remainder 
of  the  force  by  noon  of  the  same  day.  At  1  P.  M.,  the  entire  column 
moved  forward  on  the  road  towards  Florence,  taking  the  most  easterly 
route.  Halted,  for  rest  and  feed,  two  hours  at  1  o'clock,  A.  M.,  of  the  28th, 
and  then  moved  forward  again  eight  miles  North-east  from  Florence. 
A  detachment  of  the  7th  Kansas  Cavalry  destroyed  two  large  woolen 
factories,  four  miles  from  the  city.  We  drove  in  the  videttes  of  the 
enemy,  and  when  we  were  within  one  hundred  yards  of  the  town,  they 
opened  on  us  with  a  battery  of  two  guns,  throwing  schrapnel  with  great 
accuracy,  compelling  us  to  move  from  the  road,  by  the  left  flank,  into 
the  timber,  to  avoid  the  deadly  missiles.  Col.  Cornyn  moved  his 
howitzers  rapidly  forward,  and  soon  silenced  the  Rebel  guns. 

The  9th  111.  was  now  dismounted  and  thrown  forward  as  skirmishers. 
The  1st  Battalion,  (Cos.  A,  B  and  C,)  Lieutenant  Ruhland  command- 
ing, moving  forward  in  column,  as  reserve.  The  opposition  of  the 
enemy  did  not  amount  to  much,  and  we  soon  had  possession  of  the  town. 
Our  loss  was  two  wounded,  and  two  captured.  TLe  enemy  lost  from 
ten  to  twelve  killed  and  wounded,  and  sixty  to  eighty  captured.  After 
searching  the  town,  and  destroying  all  the  stores  of  value  to  the  eaeiny, 


THE    NINTH   REOIMENT.  55 

we  began  our  return  march,  taking  the  most  westerly  route,  so  as  to 
destroy  three  large  cotton  mills  and  two  more  large  woolen  mills,  all  of 
which  we  succeeded  in  doing  without  loss  to  us.  At  12  o'clock,  mid- 
night, we  bivouacked  until  morning.  The  enemy  disputed  our  entire 
advance  from  Florence  to  the  place  of  bivouaek,  and  then  ceased  to 
molest  us.  We  reached  the  crossing  opposite,  Hamburg,  at  2  A.  31.,  of 
the  30th  3Iay,  when  we  bivouacked  until  morning. 

During  the  day  the  enemy  appeared  ia  force  in  our  rear,  before  we 
had  even  our  baggage  across,  and  as  Col.  Cornyn  had  moved  down  to 
Savannah  to  relieve  the  15th  111.,  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips  assumed  command, 
arid  rnoved^out  one-half  mile  from  the  river  and  offered  battle,  when 
the  Rebels  hastily  fell  back.  We  succeeded  in  all  getting  over  by  2 
A.  31.  of  the  31st,  without  further  molestation.  In  the  skirmi|j^on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  none  of  our  men  were  hurt. 


lost  several  in  wounded  and  captured,  none  are  known  to  have  Jpeea 
killed.  At  7  A!  31..  the  31st,  the  entire  column  move  toward  Corinth, 
and  we  reached  camp  there  at  1  P.  31. 

During  this  expedition,  the  Regiment  was  out  six  days,  and  engaged 
in  two  skirmishes  with  the  enemy.  The  object  of  the  expedition  seemed 
to  be  the  destruction  of  public  property  and  stores  which  would  be  of 
advantage  to  the  enemy. 

After  leaving  Hamburg  Landing  at  1  P.  31.,  of  the  27th  31ay,  the 
boys  were  in  their  saddles,  or  pack-saddles,  as  they  then  were,  for  about 
thirty-six  hours  almost  constantly,  except  the  few  hours  tliey  were  in 
Florence  searching  the  houses  for  arms,  and  destroying  stores  that  might 
be  serviceable  to  the  enemy.  At  12  o'clock,  on  the  night  of  the  28th, 
they  halted,  until  early  in  the  morning,  when  they  were  off  on  the  march 
again.  The  result  of  this  raid  was  64  prisoners  captured,  over  200 
negroes  brought  in,  a  large  number  of  inules  and  horses  captured,  and 
about  $3,000,000  worth  of  Factory  property  destroyed. 

On  the  3d  of  June,  1863,  the  Regiment  received  orders  to  be  ready 
to  move  on  the  next  morning,  at  8  o'clock,  with  camp  and  garrison 
equipage.  3Ioved  on  the  4th,  in  accordance  with  the  above  order,  in 
a  North-west  direction.  *  Passed  through  Cherwalla,  and  bivouacked  for 
the  night  about  ten  miles  west  of  it.  The  Tuscumbia  and  Hatchie 
Rivers  had  to  be  bridged,  in  order  to  cross  the  artillery  and  infantry. 
The  entire  Brigade  were  moving  with  us.  These  streams  were  bridged, 
the  forces  crossed,  and  we  arrived  at  Pocahontas  by  4  P.  31.,  on  the 
5th  of  June,  and  bivouacked  in  the  town  for  the  night.  On  the  7th, 
the  Regiment  moved  into  camp  one-fourth  mile  north  of  the  town. 

On  the  8th  of  Jane,  Lieut  Col.  Phillips,  with  Companies  A,  B.,  JE5 


56  A   HISTORY   OP 

F,  Gr  and  I,  moved  south  on  a  scout,  and  returned  on  the  9th,  at  1  P..  M^ 
bringing  in  a  drove  of  cattle  and  sheep.  The  remaining  companies  of 
the  Regiment  went  as' an  escort  to  a  train  of  wagons,  as  far  as  the  bridge 
on  Tuscumbia  Creek. 

On  the  llth  of  June,  Capt.  Keeffner,  with  Companies  A,  C/,33,  H 
and  I,  moved  North-west  on  a  scout,  and  returned  in  the  evening, 
having  marched  40  miles,  bringing  in  three-  prisoners. 

The  Regiment,  accompanied  by  one  section  of  Tamrath's  Battery, 
moved  south  or*  the  Ripley  road,  on  the  12th  of  June,  at  1  P  >M.,  and 
'  bivouacked  for  the  night  within  ten  miles  of  Ripley,  Moved  forward 
early  on  the  morning  of  the  13th,  and  took  possession  of  Ripley  without 
opposition.  The  town  was  searched,  but  nothing  of  a  contraband  nature 
,  except  a  number  of  negroes,  who  were  confiscated  for  the 
G  overoment.  Moved  on  in  the  direction  of  New  Albany. 
At  Qrizabo,  the*  flankers  on  our  left  encountered  a  few  Rebel  soldiers r 
and  after  driving  them  off,  burned  the  place,  as  it  contained  Rebel  stores; 
and  was  a  place  of  rendezvous  for  them.  While  stopping*  to  feed,  about 
four  miles  South  of  Ripley,  a  family  moving  to  Ripley  came  along. 
Their  wagons  and  carriage  were  searched,  and  a  Rebel  mail  was  found 
in  the  old  lady's  carpet-sack.  Their  horses  and  mules  were  all  confis- 
cated, except  one  old  team  of  mules  which  they  were-  allowed  to  keep.. 

The  Regiment  then  proceeded  to  New  Albany,  reaching  that  place 
about  4  P.  M.  Finding  the  town  nearly  deserted  by  citizens,  and  used 
as  a  general  Headquarters  for  guerrillas,  and  a  supplying  point  for  them,, 
it  was  entirely  destroyed,  after  any  stores  of  value  that  could  be. carried 
away  were  taken. 

We  then  moved  back  toward  Ripley,  on  a  different  route  from  the 
one  by  which  we  had  entered,  going  three  miles  and  bivouacking  for 
the  night. 

At  1  o'clock,  A.  M.r  June  14th,  Lieutenant  Krebe  and  escort  came 
into  our  bivou&ck  "from  Pocahontas,  with  orders  from  Col.  Mersy,  for 
us  to  return  as  rapidly  as  possible  to  camp  at  Pocalioatas,  as  the  enemy 
were  planning  to  capture  us.  We  moved  at  2  A.  M.  Reached  Ripley 
at  breakfast  time,  and  camp  at  Pocahontas  at  8  P.  M.  At  daylight 
this  morning,  the  enemy,  1500  strong,  reached  our  last  night's  bivouack. 
But  fortunately  we  were  safe  out  of  their  reach.  It  was  fortunate  for 
us,  for  our  force  numbered  but  300  men  with  two  pieces  of  artillery. 

The  Regiment  was  out  three  days  on  tlris-  expedition.  It  captured, 
and  brought  in,  about  25  Rebel  soldiers,  50  contrabands,  and  100  head 
of  horses  and  mules.  It  marched  over  one  hundred  miles. 

On  the  17th  of  Juixe,  the  Regiment  again  moYed  southward,.  a&  8- 


THE.  NINTH   REGIMENT.  57 

P.  M.,  with  six  days 'rations.  The  night  was  rainy  and  intensely  dark. 
One  section  of  Tamrath's  Battery  was  with  us,  under  Lieut.  Bruner. 
Marched  all  night  in  the  dark  and  rain.  It  was  such  bad  traveling, 
that  we  only  moved  twelve  miles  by  sunrise  of  the  18th.  Halted  and 
fed  at  old  "  Secession  Hopkins',"  where  the  Regiment  had  already  fed 
four  times.  Reached  Ripley  at  1  P.  M.,  and  found  no  enemy,  but 
were  told  that  1,500  Rebels  were  moving  around,  to  get  between  us 
and  Pocahontas.  We  moved  back  two  miles,  and  halted  to  feed.  Here 
we  weite  joined  by  125  men  of  the  5th  Ohio  Cavalry,  Major  Smith 
commanding,  and  180  of  the  18th  Missouri  Mounted  Infantry,  com- 
manded by  Lieut.  Col.  Sheldon.  Our  whole  force  now  numbered  a 
little  over  600 :  5th  Ohio  Cavalry  125, 18th  Missouri  Mounted  Infan- 
try 180,  Section  of  Battery  50,  9th  111.  Mounted  Inft.  275.  TotalMSO. 

Lieut.  Col.  Phillips,  senior  officer  present,  assumed  command  01  the 
whole  force.  We  moved  back  five  miles  and  bivouacked  for  the  night. 
Finding  no  enemy,  we  moved  forward  again  by  daylight  of  the  19th. 
Passed  through  Ripley  at  8  A.  M.,  and  New  Albany  at  2  P.  M.  Cap- 
tured Lieut.  Col.  McCarly  of  the  23d  Mississippi,  below  Ripley.  Drove 
in  the  videttes  of  the  enemy  at  New  Albany,  and  moved  forward  on  tha 
Pontotoc  road.  When  within  six  miles  of  the  latter  place,  Lieut.  Col. 
Phillips  having  gone  as  far  as  his  orders  permitted  him,  moved  five 
miles  West,  and  then  moved  North  towards  Rockford.  Marched  until 
after  midnight  of  the  19th,  having  to  cross  a  terrible  swamp,  called  the 
Octohatchie.  We  bivouacked  for  the  night  on  a  ridge  between  Octo- 
hatchie  and  Mud  Creek.  Moved  forward  again  at  7  A.  M.,  of  the  20th, 
5th  Ohio  occupying  the  rear,  and  18th  Missouri  the  advance.  While 
we  were  preparing  a  crossing  of  Mud  Creek,  the  enemy,  8,000  strong, 
under  Gen.  Ruggles,  made  a  furious  attack  upon  the  rear  guard,  but 
were  nios.t  gallantly  met  and  checked  by  the  5th  Ohio  Cavalry.  Six 
companies  of  the  9th  111.  Inft.  were  dismounted,  and  deployed  as  skir- 
mishers. They,  and  the  5th  Ohio  Cavalry,  held  the  enemy  in  check 
for  two  and  a-half  hours,  until  the  artillery  had  crossed  the  several  most 
wretched  fords  of  Mud  Creek.  One  of  the  caissons  getting  stuck  in 
the  mud,  we  were  compelled  to  leave  one  half  of  it  there,  and  as  it 
completely  blocked  up  the  crossing,  we  had  to  destroy  the  five  baggage 
wagons  that  were  behind  it,  to  prevent  their  falling  into  the  hands  of 
the  enemy;  everything  we  could  possibly  save,  being  brought  over  the 
ford.  We  fell  back  rapidly,  and  got 'possession  of  Rocky  Ford,  before 
the  Rebels  got  around,  and  succeded  in  crossing  before  they  could 
niolest  us.  » 

Our  loss  in  this  engagement,  was  5  killed  and  18  wounded.     The 


58  A   HISTORY   OP 

loss  of  the  enemy  could  not  be  definitely  ascertained,  but  was  not  less 
than  200  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing. 

The  place  where  this  battle  was  fought,  was  a  dense  cane-brake. 
Men  could  not  see  each  other  move  than  a  few  feet.  Our  men  could 
hear  every  command  given  by  the  Kebel  officers,  but  could  not  see  the 
enemy. 

After  getting  safely  out  of  that  terrible  bottom,  and  crossing  the 
Tallahatchie  at  Rocky  Ford,  we  moved  through  Salem,  on  the  21st,  and 
reached  camp  at  Pocahontas,  at  noon  of  the  22d  June.  The  Ilegimeut 
was  out,  six  days,  during  this  trip.  Had  to  endure  some  very  hard 
marching.  Marched  almost  constantly,  day  and  night. 

On  the  23d  of  June,  2d  Assistant  Surgeon  Dr.  Allen,  was  ordered  to 
report  at  LaGr  range,  Tenn.,  by  Surgeon  Gray,  Medical  Director  left  wing 
16th  Army  Corps,  and  left  for  that  place  on  the  24th. 

On  the  6th  of  July,  Companies  A,  0,  E,  F,  G,  H  and  I,  under  the 
command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips,  moved  North-west  on  a  scout,  and 
returned  on  the  7th  at  noon,  not  having  found  any  force  of  the  enemy. 

On  the  8th  of  July,  the  entire  Regiment  moved  North  ward,  with 
three  days  rations,  35  miles,  and  returned  on  the  9th  without  finding 
any  force  of  the  enemy.  Brought  in  a  number  of  citizens  as  prisoners, 
with  all  the  horses  and  mules,  of  any  value,  that  could  be  found. 
Rabid  secessionists1  followed  after,  pleading  for  their  animals.  Col. 
Phillips  would  tell  them  that  he  was  a  kind-hearted  man,  had  a  number 
of  prisoners,  and  did  not  wish  to  have  them  walk.  Hence,  he  must 
have  their  horses  and  mules.  He  expressed  sorrow  for  the  necessity. 
It  is  a  question  whether  that  sorrow  was  very  deep  down,  however,  as 
he  has  no  mercy  on  Rebels,  and  takes  all  the  horses  and  mules  from 
them,  that  he  can  place  his  hands  upon,  without  much  trouble  of 
conscience. 

On  the  12th  of  July,  the  Regiment  again  moved  in  a  North-west 
direction,  with  five  days  rations.  Joined  Col.  Hatch's  force  from  La 
Grange,  North  of  Bolivar,  and  the  combined  force  moved  to  Jackson, 
and  on  the  loth  engaged  a  Rebel  force  there,  under  Forrest,  Newsom, 
and  Bifile.  Our  Regiment  was  dismounted  as  skirmishers.  After 
brisk  firing  for  one-quarter  of  an  hour,  we  dislodged  them.  The  cavalry 
then  moved  over  the  river  and  took  the  flank  of  the  skirmish  line. 
The  right  wing  of  our  Regiment  were  recalled  from  their  position  on 
the  South  side  of  the  creek,  and  placed  in  reserve  of  the  left  wing. 
We  then  moved  rapidly  forward,  until  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of 
their  fortifications,  when  we  made  a  ch'arge  upon  their  works  and  drove 
them  out,  by  a  charge  from  our  skirmish  line.  We  moved  forward, 


THE    NINTH    REGIMENT.  59 

thinking  that  they  had  left.  But  when  in  the  suburbs  of  the  North 
side  of  the  town,  the  Rebel  cavalry  ca*n?e  charging  down  on  us  from  the 
North-east  and  East  parts  of  the  town.  We  quickly  formed  in  line 
facing  them,  and  went  into  them  with  a  fierceness  that  they  could  not 
long  stand.  In  about  fifteen  minutes  they  were  driven  entirely  from 
the  field,  and  we  advanced  to  their  position.  We  captured  a  goodly 
Dumber  of  horses  and  muskets  they  were  compelled  to  leave.  One 
Rebel  Captain  was  found  dead  on  the  field.  A  prisoner  who  was  cap- 
tured, said  he  was  a  notorious  guerrilla  chieftain,  and  hated  by  their 
own  men.  Said  there  would  not  be  much  sorrow  for  his  death.  The 
fighting  in  all  lasted  about  two  and  a-half  hours. 

We  captured  about  70  prisoners,  80  of  whom  were  paroled,  the  re- 
mainder were  brought  into  camp.  Our  loss  was  one  killed  and  six 
wounded.  The  enemy's  loss  in  killed  and  wounded,  was  about  two 
hundred.  The  Regiment  returned  to  camp  about  1  P.  M.,  of  the  15th, 
having  been  out  four  days.  • 

On  the  18th,  six  companies,  under  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips, 
started  on  a  scout  about  dark,  after  a  party  of  guerrillas  who  had  made 
a  dash  upon  some  of  the  Home  Guards  at  Middleton,  killing  and  taking 
prisoners  several  of  them.  They  pursued  them  all  night,  in  the  direc- 
tion of  Bolivar,  but  could  not  find  them.  Returned  to  camp  about  noon 
the  next  day. 

On  the  20th  of  July,  the  Regiment  moved  South,  accompanied  by 
two  guns  of  Tamrath's  Battery.  At  Hopkins  we  were  joined  by  the 
llth  111.  Cavalry,  commanded  by  Major  Kerr.  Moved  on  to  within 
three  miles  of  Ripley,  a.nd  bivouacked  at  the  forks  of  the  Nubbin  Ridge 
and  Ruckersville  road.  Two  companies  of  Cavalry  and  two  companies 
of  Mounted  Infantry  were  sent  towards  Ripley  to  reconnoiter.  Dis- 
covering no  enemy,  they  soon  returned.  On  the  21st,  the  command 
moved  back  seven  miles  to  Ruckersville,  and  there  awaited  orders  from 
Corinth.  We  moved  forward  again  on  the  22d,  at  3  A.  M.  Halted  at 
Ripley  two  hours.  Captured  two  prisoners,  and  then  moved  back  to 
camp  at  Pocahontas.  * 

The  Regiment  moved  North-west,  at  daylight  on  the  26th  of  July, 
with  eight  days  rations.  It  joined  Col.  Hatch's  command,  North  of 
Bolivar,  at  8:oO  P.  M.,  of  the  same  day.  After  the  Regiment  was 
formed,  before  marching,  a  brief  prayer  was  offered  by  the  writer,  who 
was  then  present  with  the  Regiment.  Bivouacked  for  the  night,  ten 
miles  North  of  Bolivar.  On  the  27th,  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips  was  ordered 
to  the  command  of  a  Brigade,  consisting  of  the  9th  III.  Inft.  and  3d 
Michigan  Cavalry,  and  Captain  Gr.  G.  Lowe  took  command  of  the 


CO  A   HISTORY   OF 

Regiment.  We  joined  Col.  Prowitt's  command  at  Lexington,  Tenn., 
on  the  28th.  Passed  through  Clarksville,  a  Union  town,  to-day.  Had 
captured  a  goodly  number  of  mules  and  negroes,  and  about  100  prisoners 
up  to  this  date.  Among  the  latter  were  two  Colonels.  Passed  through 
Huntingdon  on  the  29th.  A  strong  Union  town.  While  stopped  here, 
two  daughters  of  Col.  Hawkins  of  the  2d  West  Tennessee  Cavalry, 
.(loyal,)  paraded  the  streets,  carrying  the  stars  and  stripes.  This  was 
cheering  to  our  boys.  We  lay  over  most  of  the  29th  at  Macedonia. 
Moved  to  Trenton  on  the  31st.  Passed  through  a  very  rough  country, 
and  in  a  poor  state  of  cultivation.  From  Trenton  we  proceeded  South, 
towards  Jackson,  passing  through  Jackson  on  the  1st  of  August,  and 
reaching  camp  at  Pocahontas  on  the  3d  of  August,  about  8  P.  M. 

The  Regiment  was  out,  during  this  scout,  nine  days.  Did  cot  have 
any  engagements  with  the  enemy. 

On  the  6th  of  August,  Companies  A,  C,  D,  E,  Gr,  H,  I  and  K,  under 
command  of  Lient.  Col.  Phillips,  moved  North-west  of  Bolivar,  and 
returned  on  the  7th,  without  finding  any  forces  of  the  enemy. 

On  the  12th  of  August,  at  10  P.  M.,  the  Regiment  moved  South, 
with  six  days  rations.  Marched  all  night,  and  halted  at  sunrise  and 
fed.  At  6  A.  M.,  of  the  13th,  we  were  on  the  march  again.  Took  the 
road  through  Salem,  passing  that  place  about  4  P.  M.,  and  bivouacking 
for  the  night  six  miles  beyond  it.  Moved  forward  again  at  daylight 
on  the  14th,  crossing  the  Tallahatchie  at  Rocky  Ford,  and  bivouacking 
for  the  night.  Moved  West  on  the  Oxford  road,  early  on  the  15th, 
reaching  that  place  at  noon.  Here  we  joined  a  Brigade  from  LaGrange. 
Lieut.  Col.  Phillips  assumed  command^of  the  Brigade,  and  moved  ofa 
six  miles  beyond  Oxford,  on  the  Coffeeville  road,  and  bivouacked  for 
the  night.  At  daybreak,  on  the  16th.  moved  forward  again.  We  were 
joined  to-day,  by  a  Brigade  of  Cavalry  from  Germantown  and  Collier- 
ville,  -under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  M.  R.  M.  Wallace,  who  being 
junior  officer  to  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips,  reported  his  command  to  him  for 
orders.  Lieut.  Col,  Phillips  now  assumed  command  of  the  whole  force, 
consisting  of  two  Brigades.  Lieut.  Col.  Wallace  had  command  of  the 
1st  Brigade,  and  Major  Coon  of  the  2d. 

The  whole  force  crossed  the  Tochamy  River  on  a  ferry  boat,  and 
reached  Water  Valley  at  12  M.  Here  our  advance  captured  a  train  of 
seven  six-mule  wagons,  and  a  number  of  prisoners  who  were  guarding 
the  train.  The  1st  Brigade  was  so  long  delayed  in  crossing  the  river, 
that  Major  Coon,  who  had  command  of  the  2d  Brigade,  did  not  leave 
Water  Valley  until  5  P.  M.  He  then  moved  forward  to  within  two 


N          THE   NINTH  REGIMENT.  61 

miles  of  Coffeeville,  and  bivouacked  for  the  remainder  of  the  night.  It 
was  2  A.  M.,  of  the  17th,  when  we  reached  that  point.  ' 

A  heavy  storm  of  rain  came  on  shortly  after  leaving  Water  Valley, 
and  the  night  became  intensely  dark.  The  darkness  made  it  very  diffi- 
cult to  march  at  all.  Often  the  mules,  with  their  riders,  would  tumble 
into  the  ditches.  The  1st  Brigade,  commanded  by  Lieut.  Col.  Wallace, 
moved  only  one  mile  from  Water  Valley,  when  the  darkness  became  so 
intense,  that  movements  were  almost  impossible.  The  Brigade  was 
consequently  ordered  into  bivouack  for  the  night.  On  the  morning  of 
the  17th,  Lieut.  Col.  Wallace  joined  the  2d  Brigade  at  Coffeeville. 
The  entire  force  now  moved  forward  rapidly  towards  Grenada,  the  llth 
111.  Cavalry  having  the  advance..  When  ten  miles  from  Coffeeville,  six 
or  eight  locomotives  and  40  or  50  cars  were  captured,  and  a  guard 
placed  over  them.  When  the  advance  were  within  four  miles  of 
Grenada,  the  Rebels  fired  the  two  large  Railroad  bridges  over  the 
Tallobusha,  and  before  we  <iould  reach  them,  they  were  completely 
destroyed.  The  llth  111.  Cavalry  was  ordered,  forward,  as  rapidly  as 
'possible,  to  prevent  the  unnecessary  destruction  of  property;  and  the 
entire  2d  Brigade  moved  forward  at  a  brisk  trot.  When  within  one 
mile  of  town,  the  llth  Cavalry  were  checked  by  about  300  of  the  enemy. 
The  9th  111.  Lift,  were  dismounted  and  sent  forward  as  skirmishers. 
Hoon  after,  the  2d  Iowa  and  3d  Michigan  Cavalry  went  into  the  action. 
Orders  were  sent  back  to  Lieut.  Col.  Wallace  to  hasten  up  his  Brigade, 
and  move  forward  with  all  possible  dispatch.  As  soon  as  the  Battery 
was  placed  in  position,  Col.  Wallace  was  ordered  to  enter  town,  with  his 
Brigade,  by  the  lower  ford.  The  enemy  not  replying  to  our  Battery, 
Major  Coon  was  ordered  to  charge  across  the  ford,  with  the  2d  Iowa 
Cavalry,  and  at  the  same  time  to  ferry  over  a  portion  of  the  9th  111.  Inft. 
as  a  support,  in  case  the  enemy  pressed  him  too  hard.  This  force 
crossed  and  took  possession  of  the  town,  without  further  opposition. 

The  captures  which  we  made,  were  as  follows:  60  locomotives;  450 
cars,  of  all  kinds;  considerable  stores,  and  $8,000  in  Confederate  scrip. 

As  the  enemy  had  burned  the  bridges  across  the  Tallobusha,  making 
it  impossible  to  run  off  the  rolling  st*ock,  the  cars,  locomotives,  machine 
shops,  depots,  Commissary  and  Quartermaster  buildings  were  fired, 
and  destroyed. 

At  7  P.  M.,  reports  having  come  in  that  the  enemy  were  returning 
to  attack  us  in  force,  our  entire  Division,  except  the  Picket  and  Provost 
Guard,  were  ordered  to  recross  the  Tallobusha,  and  bivouack,  ready 
to  fall  in  at  a  moment's  notice.  One  hour  later,  Col.  Winslow.,  com- 
manding a  Brigade  of  Cavalry,  from  "  Blackwater,"  entered  the  town 


62  A   HISTORY   OF 

from  the  South.  He  being  the  ranking  officer,  now  assumed  command 
of  the  whole  force.  His  Brigade  took  possession  of  the  place,  an'd  the 
whole  force  bivouacked  for  the  night. 

The  entire  loss  of  our  Division  in  the  fight,  was  one  man  killed  and 
two  wounded.  The  9th  111.  Inft.  had  one  man  wounded. 

The  1st  Brigade  was  so  far  in  the  rear,  at  the  beginning  of  the  action, 
that  it  was  not  engaged,  except  Perkin's  Battery  of  Mountain  Howitzers. 

The  entire  forces  in  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips'  command,  during  this  expe- 
dition, consivsted  of  the  following  Regiments,  viz :  9th  111.  Inft.  (mounted) 

Captain  Kneffner  commanding,  300;  2d  Iowa  Cavalry,  Captain 

commanding,  200;  llth  111:  Cavalry,  Major  Funk  commanding,  150; 
3d  Michigan  Cavalry,  M^ijor  Hudson  commanding,  200;  Total.  2d 

Brigade.  Major  Coon  commanding,  850.  9th  111.  Cavalry, 

commanding,  250;  3d  111.  Cavalry,  Major  Connor  commanding,  200; 

4th  111.  Cavalry, commanding,  300;  Total,  1st  Brigade, 

Lieut,  Col.  Wallace  commanding,  750.  Total  in  Division,  Lieut.  Col- 
Phillips  commanding,  1..600. 

The  force  of  the  enemy  at  Grenada,  was  between  1,500  and  2,500, 
and  was  under  command  of  Col.  Slemmer,  Gen.  Cha.lmers  being,  at  the 
time,  absent.  Major  Leath,  Gen.  Chalmers'  Quartermaster,  was  cap- 
tured in  Grenada,  and  with  him  the  Confederate  scrip  mentioned  above. 

During  the  action,  Col.  Winslow,  with  his  Brigade,  was  in  bivouack, 
within  five  miles  of  Grenada,  and  had  he  moved  on  the  South  rapidly 
at  that  time,  we  would  have  captured  most  of  the  enemy,  and  his  entire 
Quartermaster  train  of  over  100  wagons. 

Lieut.  Col.  Phillips  insisted  on  pursuing  and' capturing,  at  least,  their 
wagon  train.  ^  But  Col.  Winslow  was  in  command  and  not  w'lling. 
Lieut.  Col..  Phillips  then  requested  permission  to  pursue  with  his 
command,  but  was  refused.  Having  command.  Col.  Winslow  ordered 
$  the  destruction  of  property  to  cease.  Hence,  two  locomotives,  and  about 
a  dozen  cars,  were  left  on  the  North  sMe  of  the  Tallobusha.  for  the 
Rebels  to  run  down  produce  from  Water  Valley  and  the  country  North 
of  them. 

Thfe  entire  command  remained  in  bivouack  on  the  18th,  and  moved 
on  the  return  march,  at  5  A.  M..  on  the  19th,  taking  the  Oakland  road. 
Bivouacked  for  the  night,  just  across  the  Tochamy  River.  We  moved 
forward  again  at  5  A.  M.,  of  the  20th.  Ferried  over  the  TaJlahatchie, 
and  bivouacked  for  the  night  seven  miles  North  of  it.  Moved  again  at 
5  A.  M.,  on  the  21st.  Col.  Winslow  and  his  command  left  us  to-day, 
for  Memphis.  Fed  near  Looxahorna.  Bivouacked  for  the  night,  near 
Bucksnort.  Moved  at  the  same  hour  on  the  22d.  Lieut.  Col.  Wallace 


THE    NINTH   REGIMENT.  63 

with  his  command,  turned  to  the  left  to-day,  for  his  camp  at  Collierville. 
"VVe  passed  through  Holly  Springs  about  4  P.  M.,  to-day,  and  bivouacked 
seven  miles  North-east  of  town.  This  is  a  nice  town,  on  an  elevated 
situation,  with  some  very-line  buildings  in  it.  Guards  were  placed  at 
each  of  the  houses.  Many  ladies  made  their  appearance,  as  our  boys 
passed  along  the  street.  Some  of  them  looked  on  smilingly,  while 
others  manifested  scornful  contempt,  in  their  very  looks.  But  what 
did  our  boys  care  for  their  scorii?  .  They  only  smiled  the  more. 
The  sight  which  the  citizens  beheld,  as  our  forces  passed,  was  no  doubt 
to  them  a  sore  one.  A  long  train  of  negroes,  men,  women  and  children, 
were  accompanying  us.  At  least  $1,000,000  worth  of  property,  as 
slaves  had  formerly  been  rated,  was  leaving  them.  They  had  long  been 
accustomed  to  regard  these  persons  as  the  .great  source  of  their  wealth. 
This  war  had  been  instigated  for  the  purpose  of  riveting  the  chains  of 
bondage  more  tightly  upon  these  slaves.  Many  of  them,  perhaps,  had 
been  called  upon  to  mourn  the  death  of  some  dear  friend,  who  had  been 
slain  in  waging  this  war.  They  had  thought  thus  to  make  more  secure 
this  species  of  their  wealth.  But  now  they  were  compelled  to  see  it? 
taking  to  itself  leys  and  fleeing  away. 

Our  boys  arrived  in  camp  at  Pocahontas,  on  the  24th  of  August,  after 
having  been  out  thirteen  days'.  They  left  camp  with  six  days  rations. 
Where  did  the  other  seven  days  rations  come  from?  I  suppose  none  of 
the  boys  can  tell !  Perhaps,  if  the  smoke-houses  and  hen-roosts  of  the 
citizens  along  the  way  could  speak,  they  might  tell.  Or,  may  be,  even 
the  citizens  themselves,  if  any  one  should  take  the  trouble  to  travel 
along  and  enquire  of  them,  could  tell  something  about  it. 

The  expedition  was  certainly  a  grand  success.  Some  raids,  about 
which  much  has  been  said  and  written,  were  of  far  less  importance.  It 
was  a  bold  dash,  of  more  than  one  hundred  miles,  into  the  midst  of  the 
enemy's  country.  Our  forces  met  on  their  own  chosen  ground,  at  least 
an  equal,  and  it  is  thought,  a  greatly  superior  force  of  the  enemy; 
drove  them  from  their  position,  after  a  smart  skirmish;  captured  a 
large  amount  of  their  stores,  with  about  fifty  prisoners.  About  $8,000,000 
worth  of  public  property  was  destroyed.  Destroyed  because  two  long 
bridges  on  the  Railroad  had  been  burned  by  the  enemy.  About  500 
head  of  horses  and  mules  were  captured.  And  at  least  2,000  negroes 
were  brought  in  with  our  forces;  thus  weakening  ihe  hands  of  our 
enemies,  and  obtaining  that,  by  which  to  strengthen  our  own  hands. 
These,  as  sKives  were  formevly  valued,  were  worth  at  least  $2,000,000.- 
The  entire  Union  loss  was  only  one  man  ki^ed  and  two  wounded.  Had 
there  been  a  special  correspondent  with  our  forces,  it  wpuld  have  been 


64  A   HISTORY   OP 

heralded  in  the  newspapers  with  a  flourish  that  might  have  resulted  in 
a  star  on  our  worthy  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips,  who  commanded  the  expedi- 
tion. The  material,  at  least,- Was  there. 

Charles  Chevi,  2d  Lieutenant  of  Company  C,  resigned,  and  his  resig- 
nation was  accepted,  to  take  effect  August  7th,  1863. 

August  26th,  the  Regiment  was  paid  by  Major  W.  H.  Johnston,  for 
the  months  of  March,  April,  May  and  June. 

August  29th,  Captains  Kneffner  and  Robinson,  and  Lieuts.  Roll- 
mann  and  Cowgill,  we|b  ordered  to  report  to  CoL  Alexander,  at  St. 
Louis,  for  duty  in  the  Invalid  Corps. 

At  the  regular  periodical  muster  and  inspection,  on  the  31st  of 
August,  Captain  G.  G.  Lowe  acted  as  Inspecting  and  Mustering  Officer. 

September  3d,  1863,  1st  Lieutenant  George  W.  Willifbrd,  was  com- 
missioned and  mustered  as  Captain  of  Company  F. 

September  4th,  1863,  Rev.  Marion  Morrison  reported  for  duty,  with 
commission  as  Chaplain  of  the  Regiment.  He  was  mustered  in  as  such, 
to  date  from  the  4th. 

On  the  3d  of  August,  1863,  105  deserters,  mostly  from  the  128th 
111.  Inft.,  were  assigned  to  duty  in  the  9th  111.  Vol.  Inft.,  and  were 
transferred  to  tKe  various  companies,  so  as  to  equalize  the  strength  of 
those  companies. 

On  the  6th  of  August,  Lieutenant  McClure,  commanding  detachment 
of  the  128th  111.  Vol.,  reported  his  men,  in  compliance  with  orders  from 
Headquarters  16th  Army  Corps,  to  the  Regiment  for  duty.  The  de- 
tachment numbered  103  men,  and  were  assigned,  pro  rata,  to  the  several 
companies.  Lieutenant  Lennia,  Adjutant  of  the  128th,  was  assigned 
to  Company  F,  and  Lieutenant  Cooper  to  Company  B,  until  further 
orders.  In  the  order  for  consolidation,  Lieutenant  Lenma's  name  was 
dropped,  (he  having  resigned,)  and  Lieutenant  Cooper  was  transferred 
from  Company  B.  to  C  ompany  F. 

On  the  16th  of  August,  1863, 1st  Lieutenant  Krebs  received  a  com- 
mission as  Captain  of  Company  D,  and  Orderly  Sergeant  H.  Weber  as 
1st  Lieutenant  Company  D,  and  both  were  mustered  in  from  that  date. 

When  the  writer  reported  to  the  Regiment  for  duty,  on  the  4th  of 
September,  as  above  noticed,  the  Regiment  was  in  command  of  Captain 
Gr.  G.  Lowe,  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips  having  been  summoned  to1  Memphis, 
as  a  witness  before  a  court  martial  in  the  case  of  Lieut.  Col.  Bowen  of 
the  10th  Mo.  Cavalry.  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips  was  detained  there  for  two 
or  three  weeks,  and  Captain  Lowe  continued  in  command  of  the  Regi- 
ment, with  credit  to  himself. 

After  joining  the  Regiment,  arrangements  were  made  for  regular 


THE   NINTH  REGIMENT.  65 

g  services  on  each  Sabbath,  and  prayer-meetings  on  Sabbath 
and  Wednesday  evenings.  I  would  here  say,  that  we  have  been  able, 
notwithstanding  the  great  amount  of  scouting  duty  the  Regiment  has 
had  to  perform,  to  hold  our  regular  services  on  almost  every  Sabbath, 
up  to  the  present  time,  except  the  few  weeks  I  was  absent  from  the 
Regiment,  on  orders,  in  Illinois.  The  Regiment  had  been  without  a 
Chaplain  for  about  20  months.  For  several  Sabbaths  we  held  our  ser- 
vices under  the  shades  of  the  trees  in  front  of  the  Colonel's  quarters. 
Soon,  however,  some  of  the  soldiers  volunteered  their  services,  and 
erected  a  comfortable  chapel,  40  by  24  feet,  in  which  to  hold  our  meet- 
ings. We  had  occupied  this  but  a  few  Sabbaths,  when  we  moved  from 
our  old  camp  at  Pocahontas. 

During  the  first  three  weeks  of  September,  from  one  to  four  compa- 
nies were  out  scouting,  almost  daily.  Gen.  Chalmers- was  concentrating 
a  force  South  of  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  Railroad,  to  make  a  dash 
upon  that  road,  and  cut  off  communication  between  Memphis  and 
Corinth. 

On  the  27th  of  September,  the  Regiment,  under  command  of  Lieut. 
Col.  Phillips,  who  had  re-joined  it,  moved  South  toward  New  Albany, 
On  arriving  within  six  miles  of  that  place,  he  found  the  enemy  too 
strong  for  a  further  safe  advance  with  the  force  he  had,  and  returned 
to  camp  at  Pocahontas  on  the  29th. 

On  the  2d  of  October,  the  Regiment  inoved  North  on  a  scout.  Found 
and  engaged  a  small  force  of  the  enemy,  on  Forked  Deer  River.  In 
this  engagement,  Private  Peterson,  of  Co.  K,  was  killed.  Finding  no 
more  force  of  the  enemy,  the  Regiment  returned  to  camp  at  Pocahon- 
tas on  the  4th  of  October. 

During  the  latter  part  of  September  and  the  first  week  in  October, 
there  was  much  talk  that  we  would  be  removed,  and  take  up  the  march 
somewhere.  Gen.  Sherman's  forces  from  Vicksburs:,  were  constantly 
passing  towards  Corinth,  for  two  or  three  weeks.  It  was  reported  that 
they  would  take  the  place  of  the  16th  Army  Corps  in  occupying  Mem- 
phis and  Corinth  and  the  Railroad  between  them;  and  that  our  Corps 
would  move  into  an  active  campaign.  Thus  we  were  kept,  as  soldiers 
often  are,  in  suspense  from  day  to  day.  Not  knowing  what  a  day  might 
bring  forth.  In  the  meantime  Sherman's  forces  passed  on  towardi 
Chattanooga,  and  we  were  still  in  our  old  quarters. 

As  the  weather  was  now  becoming  too  cold  for  the  airy  tents,  which 

most  of  the  Regiment  occupied,  the  b,oys  went  to  the  timber,  split 

boards,  hauled  poles,  &c.,  and  put  themselves  up  comfortable  quarters. 

Brick  chimneys,  left  where  houses  had  been  burnt  through  the  country, 

[5] 


£6  A    HISTORY    OF 

were  torn  down  and  brought  into  camp,  and  neat  little  chimneys  built 
to  their  shanties.  Thus  the  boys  were  preparing  for  comfortably  spend- 
ing the  winter  in  their  camp. 

On  the  4th  of  October,  commissions  arrived,  as  follows :  2d  Lieut, 
John  Mallmann,  to  be  Captain  of  Company  B;  2d  Sergt.  L.  Grieser, 
to  be  1st  Lieut.  Company  B;  1st  Lieut.  'I.  Clements,  to  be  Captain? 
Oompany  G;  2d  Lieut.  N.  G-.  Perrine,  to  be  1st  Lieut.  Company  G; 
1st  Lieut.  S.  T.  Hughs,  to  be  Captain  of  Company  I;  2d  Lieut.  Wm, 
Paden,  to  be  1st  Lieut.  Company  I;  Com,  Sergt.  C.  A.  Spat'ee,  to  be 
Regimental  Quartermaster.  Of  the  above,  the  following  were  ordered 
@n  duty,  in  their  new  rank,  viz:  Grieser,  Clements,  Perrine  and  Spatee. 

On  the  6th  of  October,  the  Regiment,  tinder  command  of  Lieut.  CoL 
Phillips,  moved1  South  towards  Ripley,  on  the  Jonesborough  Toad,  and 
bivouacked  for  the  night  at  Ruckersville,  Moved  forward  again  at 
daylight  on  the  7th,  and  reached  Ripley  at  8:30  A.  M,,  and  at  9:30 
moved  North-west  towards  Salem.  When  within  five  miles  of  that 
place,  an  advance  was  sent  out,  which  ascertained  that  the  enemy  were 
in  Salem  about  3,000  strong.  It  was  determined  by  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips, 
to  attack  them  on  the  morning  of  the  8th,  although  his  force  did  not 
exceed  400  men.  Hence,  early*  in  the  morning,  one  company  was  sent 
rapidly  forward,  and  drove  in  their  pickets  and  developed  their  forces. 
This  done  and  they  fell  back.  Soon  after,  the-  Regiment  move  forward 
in  force.  Arriving  at  the  town,  it  was  found  that  CoL  McCrillis  was 
there  with  his  Regiment  of  cavalry,  and  that  the  Rebels  had  fallen  back 
out  of  town.  It  was  soon  ascertained,  however,  that  .their  falling  back 
was  not  a  retreat,  but  a  pretense,  and  that  they  were  preparing  to  attack 
us.  Hence,  the  9th?' 111.  Inft..  was  dismounted  and  deployed  as  skir- 
mishers, and  the  two  guns  of  Tamrath's  Battery  accompanying  the 
Regiment,  were  placed  in  position,  and  opened  upon  the  enemy.  In  a 
very  short  time  the  enemy  made  a  vigorous  -effort  to  drive  us,  but 
failed.  After  engaging  this  vastly  superior  force  for  three  hours,  and 
our  ammunition  failing,  we  fell  back  on  to  the  Railroad  at  LaGrange, 
and  were  reinforced.  Five  of  our  men  were  killed  and  twenty  wounded 
in  this  engagement. 

After  reaching  LaGranger  a  dispatch  was  sent  into  camp,  for  all  the 
men  in  camp  fit  for  duty,  to  join  the  Regiment  at  that  place.  Rein- 
forcements were  now  secured  and  preparations  made  for  driving  the 
enemy  back,  or  cutting  off  his  retreat.  On  the  llth  of  October,  the 
Regiment;  together  with  Col.  Hatch's  mounted  force,  moved  South-west, 
Had  an  engagement  with  the  enemy  at  Graham's  Mills,  and  another  at. 


THE    NINTH   REGIMENT.  67 

Wyatt's,  defeating  them  in  both  engagements  and  driving  them  South- 
ward, after  severe  skirmishing. 

Our  entire  mounted  force  was  commanded  by  Col.  Hatch,  the  Brigade 
by  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips,  and  the  Regiment  by  Captain  A.  G.  Hawes.  In 
these  two  last  engagements,  the  9th  111.  lost  one  man  killed  and  five 
wounded. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  killed  and  wounded  i3  the  various  en- 
gagements, since  the  Regiment  was  mounted  on  the  20th  of  March,  1863. 

COMPANY  A. — At  Jackson,  Tenn.,  Killed,  Konrad  Schaeffer ;  Wound- 
ed, Sergt.  Michael  Hartweek,  Privates  Charles  Harris  and  George 
Heiler. — 1  killed  and  3  wounded. 

COMPANY  B. — Cherokee  Bluffs,  Miss.,  Wounded,  Gustar  Blank; 
Mud  Creek,  Miss.,  John  Snider;  Salem,  Miss.,  James  Luston;  Wyatt'e, 
Miss.,  Killed,  William  Toliver;  Wounded,  1st  Lieut.  Louis  Grieser,  Pri- 
vate Win.  Crum.  In  all,  1  killed  and  5  wounded. 

COMPANY  C. — Mud  Creek,  Miss.,  Killed,  Sergt.  Charles  Ehrlich, 
Private  George  Valler,  Wounded,  Sergt.  Wm.  Heser,  and  Private  Eilb 
Menson;  Jackson,  Tenn.,  Sergt.  Engen  A.  Hauke;  Salem,  Miss,  Corp. 
Wm.  Striegal,  and  Private  G.  M.  Smith;  Athens,  Ala.,  Samuel  Spring. 
In  all,  2  killed  and  6  wounded. 

COMPANY  D.— Salem,  Miss.,  Killed,  G.  W.  Hatfield,  Wounded,  Chrst. 
Lambe.  One  killed  and  one  wounded. 

COMPANY  E. — Mud  Creek,  Miss.,  Wounded,  Charles  B.  Fleming. 
Win.  M.  Gery  and  Ephraim  J.  Tyler;  Salem,  Miss.,  Jas.  Stewart  and 
Wm.  Mock.  In  all,  5  wounded. 

COMPANY  F. — Salem,  Miss.,  Killed,  Thos.  Ellison. 

COMPANY  G. — Mud  Creek,  Miss.,  Henry  Brown  and  Jonathan  Hamp- 
ton; Salem,  Miss.,  Wm.  Cheneworth  and  Jas.  M.  Ne'wton.  In  'all,  4 
wounded. 

COMPANY  H. — Salem.  Miss.,  Francis  M.  Strickle,  Ahiron  D.  Simons, 
Benj.  R.  Felts;  Florence,  Ala.,  Wm.  H.  Neal.  In  all,  4  wounded. 

COMPANY  I. — Mud  Creek,  Miss.,  Wounded,  Lieut.  S.  T.  Hughe, 
Chas.  S.  Patton;  Grenada,  Miss.,  S.  P.  Irwin;  -Jackson,  Tenn.,  Oliver 
Hays;  Salem,  Miss.,  Killed,  E.  K.  Richards,  Wounded, Richard  Jordon  ; 
Wyatt's,  Miss.,  John  Graham;  Athens,  Ala.,  M.  D.  Holcomb.  In  all, 

1  killed  and  7  wounded. 

COMPANY  K. — Montazuma,  Tenn.,  Killed,  John  M.  Peterson;  Salem, 
Miss.,  John  Q.  Martin,  Wounded,  Lieut.  Ulen  and  Peter  Hall.  In  all, 

2  killed  and  2  wounded. 

A  number  of  incidents  of  interest,  occurred  during  the  period  covered 
by  this  chapter. 


68  A   HISTORY   OF 

When  on  a  scout  to  Tupelo,  the  boys  were  feeding  near  the  house  of 
a  citizen.  A  woman  came  to  Col.  Phillips  to  make  complaints  that  one 
of  her  horses  had  been  taken,  and  a  negro  man  or  two  had  left  her  and 
was  following  our  forces  away.  The  Col.  very  politely  told  her,  (for 
he  is  always  polite  to  the  ladies,  unless  they  cease  to  act  the  lady,)  that 
he  was  sorry  for  her,  but  that  it  was  his  business  to  keep  the  Rebels 
out  of  that  country,  so  that  they  might  not  molest  peaceable  citizens  like 
her.  In  order  to  do  this,  he  must  have  horses  to  mount  his  men. 
Hence,  from  military  necessity  he  must  take  her  horse.  That  more 
effectually  to  accomplish  the  work  of  clearing  the  Rebels  out  of  the 
country,  the  Government  had  resolved  to  arm  the  negroes  and  make 
soldiers  of  them.  Hence,  he  must  take  her  negroes  also.  Finding  she 
could  accomplish  nothing  by  her  entreaties  with  the  Col.,  she  was 
returning  to  the  house,  when  she  saw  that  they  were  taking  her  corn 
to  feed  their  animals.  Some  of  the  boys  were  also  chasing  her  chickens, 
and  they  were  rapidly  decreasing  in  numbers.  She  now  set  up  a  terrible 
lamentation,  and  commenced  praying  that  God  would  send  the  Yankees 
out  of  the  country.  In  the  warmth  of  her  petitions,  she  used  the  fol- 
lowing forcible  language:  "0,  Lord,  if  you  can't  come  yourself,  just 
now,  do  send  General  Price  with  his  great  army,  to  drive  these  misera- 
ble Yankees  out-of  the  country/'  Until  this  petition  was  uttered,  some 
of  the  boys  felt  a  sympathy  for  her.  But  the  utterance  of  it,  seemed 
to  drive  away  both  their  sympathy  and  their  gravity.  The  Col.  finally 
sent  an  orderly,  telling  her  to  go  into. the  house  and  finish  her  prayers. 

Another.  When  on  a  scout  near  Ripley,  Miss.,  the  Regiment  were 
in  camp,  and,  as  usual,  helping  themselves  to  the  contents  of  a  corn- 
crib,  that  thereby  they  might  strengthen  their  mules  for  the  heavy* 
duties  laid  upon  them.  A  woman  appeared,  with  the  usual  cry,  that 
she  was  a  "poor  lone  widow,  with  six  orphan  children,"  and  requested 
the  Col.  to  leave  her  corn  enough  to  make  her  bread  until  she  could, 
raise  more.  The  Col.  assured  her  that  they  would  leave  her  some  corn. 
In  a  short  time,  one  of  the  girls  came  out,  with  the  cry,  "0,  Col.,  the 
soldiers  are  taking  every  bit  of  our  corn,  and  we  will  all  starve/'  The 
Col.  gave  orders  to  the  Adjutant  to  have  a  guard  placed  at  that  woman's 
corn,  and  instruct  it  to  see  that  some  of  that  corn  was  left.  The  Ad- 
jutant detailed  a  guard.  In  the  meantime,  it  had  beeji  ascertained  that 
the  family  had  a  lot  of  wheat;  and  although  it  might  be  hard  for  a 
Southern  family  to  live  without  corn-bread,  still  it  was  supposed  that 
if  they  had  wheat-bread,  they  would  not  starve.  Hence,  as  corn  to  feed 
upon  was  scarce,  the  Adjutant,  in  instructing  the  guard  to  see  that 
some  of  that  corn  was  left,  gave  him  a  knowing  wink,  which  he  well 


THE   NINTH   REGIMENT.  69 

understood.  Some  of  the  corn  was  left.  But  it  was  simply  a  little 
ehelled  corn  in  the  bottom  of  the  crib.  One  of  the  girls  having  made 
a  reconnoisance  to.  the  corn-crib,  to  see  how  things  were  getting  along 
there,  and  made  the  discovery  that  it  was  all  gone,  came  back  running  and 
crying,  "Oh,  mother,  mother  5  they  have  taken  every  bit  of  our  corn, 
and  now  we  will  have  nothing  to  eat  but  wheat-bread.  What  will  we  do/' 

Still  another.  It  was  almost  a  daily,  and  often  an  hourly  occurrence 
for  citizens  to  visit  the  Col.  at  his  Head  Quarters,  to  erfceavor  to  get 
back  a  horse  or  mule  that  had  been  captured.  One  day  two  ladies  had 
visited  him  for  that  purpose.  While  they  were  engaged  in  reasoning 
the  matter  with  him,  dinner  was  announced.  He  invited  them  to  go 
out  and  eat  dinner  with  him.  The  invitation  was  accepted.  The  cook, 
or  Doctor,  or  some  one,  expecting  that  they  would  be  there  for  dinner, 
set  a  bottle  of  liquor  on  the  table.  After  dinner  was  o%Ter,  the  Colonel 
politely  invited  them  to  take  a  drink.  After  some  little  hesitation,  they' 
each  took  their  glass  of  liquor.  The  Colonel,  always  supplied  with 
cigars,  toot  his  cigar-case  from  Ms  pocket,  and  reached  it  to  them. 
They  each  took  a  cigar,  lit  it  at  the  cook's  fire,  and  sat  down  and  de- 
liberately smoked  it.  In  the  North,  to  smoke  in  the  presence  of  ladies 
is  considered  the  greatest  impoliteness.  Not  so  in  the  South,  however. 

One  more.  When  on  the  return  from  the  raid  to  Grenada,  Miss., 
the  Regiment  passed  through  Holly  Springs.  There  was  some  appre- 
hension th?it  there  might  be  a  disposition  on  the  part  of .  some  of  the- 
soldiers  to  fire  the  town,  owing  to  treatment  received  from  the  citizens 
on  a  former  occasion.  Hence,  a  guard  was  placed  at  each  house,  until 
the  forc-es  should  pass  through.  Surgeon  Gulick  desiring  some  water 
for  sick  men,  started  to  go  into  a  yard  to  get  it,  but  the  guard  would 
not  allow  him  to  pass  in.  He  handed  his  canteen  to  a  colored 
man  in  the  yard,  requesting  him  to  fill  it  with  water-  While  he  was 
doing  it,  a  woman  came  from  the  house,  much  excited.  Coming  towards 
the  Doctor,  she  inquired,  "Is  there  a  Mason  here?" 

Doctor. — "Why,  madame,  what  do  you  wish?" 

Mad.  M. — "  I  am  the  widow  of  a  Mason.  I  wish  to  know  if  there  is 
a  Mason  here.  I  wish  protection." 

Doctor. — "  Madame,  you  had  better  go  into  the  house.  You  do  not 
need  protection.  There  is  a  guard  around  your  house." 

During  this  conversation,  a  chicken,  from  some  cause  ran  through 
the  fence  into  the  street.  A  soldier  started  after  it,  to  catch  it.  The 
Doctor's  companion  seized  a  long  club,  and  quickly  got  over  the  fence 
and  after  the  soldier.  Unobserved,  she  came  upon  him,  when  about  to 
catch  the  chicken,  and  struck  him  a  heavy  blow  over  the  head.  This 


70  A   HISTORY    OF 

he  did  not  resist,  as  it  was  from  a  woman.  But  after  the  second  blow, 
he  supposed  that  "forbearance  ceased  to  be  a  virtue,"  even  if  a  woman 
was  involved.  The  Doctor  says  he  was  scared  when  he  saw  her  seize 
the  club  and  climb  the  fence.  He  supposed  she  was  coming  at  him. 

Still  another.  At  the  same  time  and  place  with  the  last,  a  lady  whose 
horse  had  been  taken,  came  out  to  Col.  Phillips,  very  pleasant,  and 
announced  herself  as  a  daughter  of  Gen.  Bi'adshaw;  took  the  Colonel's 
horse  by  the  bridle,  and  told  him  that  she  would  be  servant  for  him, 
and  he  had  to  submit  to  having  her  lead  his  horse  up  to  her  gate.  She 
invited  him  to  go  in  and  have  something  to  drink.  He  could  not  well 
refuse  her  invitation,  even  if  he  had  desired  to.  Once  in  the  house, 
she  told  him  that  she  had  both  wine  and  whisky.  Said  she  did  not  know 
how  it  was  with  our  officers,  but  theirs  'all  preferred  the  whisky.  The 
Colonel  told  her  that  he  would  not  be  an  exception,  and  so  helped  him- 
self to  a  portion  of  the  whisky. 

Another  one  yet.  During  the  raid  on  Florence,  when  the  town  was 
being  searched,  and  contraband  goods  taken,  tobacco  and »wine  were 
both  regarded  as  contrabands  of  war.  Considerable  quantities  of  both 
were  found  in  the  town.  Dr.  Allen  tells  of  one  soldier  whom  he  saw 
with  three  boxes  of  tobacco  on  his  mule  before  him.  Having  more 
than  he  could  well  carry,  and  meeting  a  citizen  on  the  street^  proposed 
to  give  him  a  box.  Another,  whom  he  .met,  had  three  or  four  boxes 
of  bottles  of  wine  on  before  him.  Being  rather  overburdened,  he  made 
a  present  of  one  box  to  the  Doctor,  which  he  accepted,  I  suppose,  as 
hospital  stores. 

Another  on  Dr.  Guliek.  I  hope  the  good  natured  Doctor  will  par- 
don me  for  using  his  name  so  frequently  in  this  connection.  When  on 
the  return  march  from  the  raid  to  Grenada,  Miss.,  as  has  been  stated, 
there  was  a  drove  of  about  2,000  negroes  followed  the  returning  column. 
They  were  of  all  ages,  and*' both  sexes.  Old  grey  headed  grandfathers 
and  grandmothers  were  there.  Men  and  women  in  the  vigor  of  life 
were  there.  Prattling  little  boys  and  little  girls  were  there.  Suckling 
babes  were  there  also.  This  great  crowd  of  colored  people  were  there, 
some  of  them  pretty  well  clad,  others  almost  naked.  It  is  described  as 
a  sight  sufficient  to  touch  the  heart  of  any  one.  Mothers  were  there, 
traveling  on  foot  a  journey  of  75  to  100  miles,  carrying  their  infant 
children.  Two  or  three  of  these  mothers,  overcome  with  traveling  to 
keep  up  with  a  mounted  force,  carrying  their  children,  actually  laid 
them  down  by  the  road  side,  and  pressed  on  to  liberty.  "Can  a  mother 
forget  her  sucking  child  ?"  Some  of  these  poor  creatures  seemed 
willing  to  leave  their  children  behind,  rather  than  be  left  themselves, 


THE   NINTH   REGIMENT.  71 

Sloping,  perhaps,  that  some  "good  Samaritan"  would  care  for  them. 
The  Doctor,  kind-hearted  man,  finding  one  of  these  little  ones,  alighted 
3,nd  picked  it  up,  and  as  some  of  the  boys  passed  him,  was  dandling 
the  child.  He  placed  it  in  his  ambulance,  and  when  they  halted,  he 
found  its  mother.  All  praise  to  the  Doctor  for  this  humane  act. 

Another  fact,  closely  connected  with  this  rebellion,  for  the  suppres- 
sion of  which  our  Regiment  has  so  nobly  contended.  While  in  camp 
at  Pocahoutas,  the  writer  took  the  pains  to  ascertain  some  facts  with 
reference  to  the  education  of  the  citizens.  When  we  had  been  in  camp 
about  three  months,  I  called  at  the  Provost  Marshal's  office,  and  ascer- 
tained that  1,520  citizens  had  taken  the  oatk  of  allegiatece,  that  they 
might  make  purchases  of  coffee,  salt,  &c.,  from  our  Commissary.  Of 
the  above  number,  just  300  could  write  their  own  names.  The  other 
1,220  had  to  have  their  names  written  arid  make  their,  mark.  At  another 
point  where  the  Regiment  was  in  camp,  on  the  Tennessee  River,  out  of 
313  who  took  the  oath  in  one  day,  only  13  could  write  their  own  names- 
The  remaining  300  had  to  make  their  mark. 

Now,  looking  at  these  facts,  and  if  they  are  anything  like  an  approxi- 
mation even,  to  the  state  of  society  in  the  South,  need  we  any  longer 
wonder  at  this  rebellion  ?  A  few  well  informed  and  designing  leaders 
<can  go  into  a  community,  such  as  the  above  facts  indicate,  and  influence 
its  inhabitants  to  almost  any  course  of  action  they  may  desire. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

FROM   THE  TIME   OF   LEAVING   POCAHONTAS    TO    THE   PRESENT. 

Orders  to  move  camp — March  to  Eastport — Regiment  detached  for 
scouting  duty — From  Eastport  to  PulasJd — Pidaski  to  Athens — 
Scouting  along  the  Tennessee — Going  into  quarters — Roddy's  Raid — 
Scout  beloic  Florence. 

As  stated  in  the  preceding  chapter,  there  had  been  much,  said  about 
our  Regiment  leaving  camp  and  being  throwR  out  into  an  active  cam- 
paign; that  that  exitement  had  passed  away,  and  the  boys  had  prepared 
themselves  with  comfortable  quarters  in  which  to  spend  the  winter. 

When  thus  comfortably  fixed  for  living  during  the  winter,  orders 
vcanie  for  the  Regiment  to  be  ready  to  move  on  the  morning  of  October 
30th.  Thus  the  comfortable  little  dwellings  prepared  by  the  boys;  the 
<chapel»prepared  for  our  religious  services;  the  new  hospital  just  finished, 
.and  such  like  comforts  were  all  left  behind.  But  such  is  the  common 
lot  of  .soldiers.  They  have  &  very  uncertain  life  before  them.  They 


72  A   HISTORY   OF 

know  not  to-day,  where  they  sfcall  be  on  to-morrow.     The  order  was  to 
conduct  a  Battery  to  Corinth.     Whence,  from  there,  we  knew  not. 

The  morning  of  October  30th  eanie,  and  with  it  heavy  clouds,  threat- 
ening rain.  Baggage  must  be  packed  up.  Tents  must  be  struck. 
Wagons  must  be  loaded.  By  about  8£  A.  M.,  all  was  ready,  and  we- 
were  on  the  march.  About  the  time  we  started,  it  commenced  raining, 
and  rained  heavily  all  day.  This  made  it  difficult  for  the  Battery 
wagons  to  proceed  rapidty.  Came  to  Cypross  Creek  and  bottom.  The 
stream  was  very  difficult  to  cross.  There  was  a  swampy  bottom,  of 
three  miles,  which  we  had  to  cross.  The  Battery  did  not  get  through 
it  that  n i glit,  but  camped  in-  the  bottom.  The  right  wing  of  the  Regi- 
ment moved  out  to  the  ridge  beyond,  and  there  awaited  the  arrival  of 
Battery  and  left  wing.  It  being  found  they  could  n,pt  get  through  that 
aight,  all  went  into  bivouack  until  morning.  At  an  early  hour  on  the 
morning  of  the  31st,  the  Regiment  and  Battery  were  on  the  move., 
We  reached  Corinth  about  1  P.  M.,  of  the  31st.  .Here  we  were  relieved 
as  escort  to  the  Battery.  Went  into  camp  in  the  barracks  lately  occu- 
pied by  the  50th  111.  Regiment.  Here  we  remained  until  the  morning 
of  the  3d  of  November. 

On  the  2d  of  November,  we  were  mustered  for  pay.  Received  orders- 
en  the  2d,  to  move  the  next  morning,  as  escort  to  a  train,  to  luka.. 
Or.ders  were  issaed  regulating  the  order  of  march.  There  was  a  train 
of  about  200  wagons  and  ambulances.  The  advance  was  ordered  to 
move  at  4  A.  M.,  and  the  rear  at  6  A.  M.  The  whole  was  under  com- 
mand of  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips.  Such  was  the  promptness  with  which  he 
had  each  part  of  the  column  to  occupy  its  position,  that  when  the  rear 
moved,  and  he  went  to  the  telegraph  office  to  dispatch  to  Gen.  Dodge 
that  all  were  moving,  it  lacked  ten  minutes  of  six  o'clock.  Moved  on 
steadily  until  noon.  Halted  one  hour  to  water  and  rest.  At  5  P.  M.r 
we  reached  luka,  a  distance  of  25  miles.  It  was  regarded  a  very  speedy 
trip  for  so  long  a  train.  We  bivouacked  for  the  night,  near  luka.  On 
the  morning  of  the  4th  of  November,  we  moved  at  10  A.  M.,  as  escort 
to  a  train  of  150  wagons,  to  the  crossing  of  the  Tennessee  River  at 
Eastport.  We  arrived  at  Eastport  at  2  P.  M. 

Gen.  Dodge's  orders  to  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips,  commanding  the  9th  111. 
Inffc.,  was,  that  immediately  upon  his  arrival  at  Eastport,  he  should  leave 
the  train,  together  with  his  own  Regimental  teams  on  this  side,  and 
ferry  the  Regiment  across  the  river,  so  as  to  be  ready  to  move  as  early 
as  practicable  on  the  following  day.  The  Regiment  was  all  across  by 
about  sundown,  and  bivouacked  one  half  mile  from  the  river. 

Our  Regiment,  Liouk  CoL  Phillips  commanding,  was  osdared  OBI 


THE    NINTH   REGIMENT.  73 

detached  duty,  and  thus  separated  from  the  2d  Brigade,  to  which  it 
properly  belonged. 

I  might  here  state  that  the  whole  of  the  2d  Division  of  the  16th 
Army  Corps,  under  command  of  Gen.  Sweeney,  Gen.  Dodge  being  the 
department  commander,  had  taken  up  the  march  from  Corinth  on  the 
2d  and  3d  of  November,  and  was  engaged  in  being  ferried  across  the 
Tennessee  River  at  Eastport. 

Gen.  Dodge's  order,  detaching  the  9th  III.  Inffc.,  assigned  it  to  scouting- 
and  foraging  for  animals.  The  Division  teams  needed  recruiting. 
Horses  and  mules  must  be  procured  in  the  country  through  which  we 
were  about  to  march,  for  this  purpose.  Gen.  Sherman  had  lately 
inarched  his  army  through  the  same  country,  and  it  was  very  naturally 
supposed  that  animals  would  be  scarce.  Hence,  a  part  of  the  order  to 
our  Regiment  was  to  gather  up  all  the  horses,  mules,  cattle  and  sheep 
that  could  be  found  in  the  country.  It  was  further  ascertained  that 
portions  of  Rebel  cavalry  had  crossed  North  of  the  Tennessee  River,  to- 
annoy  our  forces  on  their  march.  Hence,  an  additional  duty  assigned 
to  the  9th  111.  *was  to  make  reconnoisances  and  watch  the  movements 
of  the  enemy. 

On  the  night  of  the  4th,  Lieut.t  Col.  Phillips  issued  orders  to  be  • 
ready  to  move  at  6  A.  M.,  the  next  morning.  He  also  issued  orders 
detailing  one  non-commissioned  officer  and  six  men  from  each  company 
for  foraging  purposes* and  instructing  the  foragers  to  bring  in  all  horses^ 
mules,  cattle  and  sheep  that  could  be  found  on  our  route.  All  soldiers 
were  forbidden  to  leave  the  ranks,  except  such  as  were  detailed  for 
that  purpose. 

On  the  morning  of  the  5th  of  October,  the  Regiment  was  on  the 
march  by  daybreak.  Took  the  Florence  road,  for  about  three  miles- 
Turned  North,  and  traveled  about  ten  miles  through  a  poor,  romrh, 
broken  country.  Halted  to  make  inquiry  as  to  the  country.  Found  a 
good  Union  man,  with  a  clever  family.  Had  the  old  man  to  go  with 
us,  as  a  guide.  The  Regiment  here  separated  and  traveled  two  different 
roads.  About  noon  the  flankers  of  the  right  wing  Were  fired  on,  near 
a  house.  A  number  of  shots  were  fired.  Several  horses  and  some 
cattle  were  taken.  Halted  to  feed,  two  hours.  During  that  time  the 
left  wing  came  in.  All  having  fed,  we  took  up  the  march  again.  Pro- 
ceeded in  the  direction  of  Florence.  Bivouacked  for  the  night,  after 
dark,  about  14  miles  from  Florence.  It  had  rained  almost  constantly 
during  the  day.  "\Vas  still  raining  some  when  we  halted.  There  was 
a  fair  prospect  for  a  disagreeable  night  for  laying  out.  But  it  did  not 


74  A  HISTORY  OP 

rain  much  during  the  night.  We  brought  in  two  men  as  prisoners,  and 
about  forty  head  of  horses  and  mules,  with  some  cattle. 

November  6th,  the  Regiment  moved  at  sunrise,  bearing  South.  At 
2  P.  M.,  we  came  into  a  rich  country.  Plantations  large;  abundance 
of  negroes;  stock  was  plenty,  which  was  gathered  up.  At  many  of  the 
plantations  we  would  collect  20  or  25  mules.  Halted  two  or  three 
hours  and  gathered  up  stock  and  fed.  We  then  moved  five  or  six 
miles  West,  a-nd  bivouacked  for  the  night  near  a  house  owned  by  a  large 
planter.  The  woman  applied  for  protection.  No  one  was  allowed  to 
enter  the  house.  Negroes  came  in  from  different  plantations.  Through 
them  we  gathered  much  information  as  to  the  whereabouts  of  stock. 
Did  not  leave  camp  until  about  11  A.  M.,  of  the  7th  November.  Sent 
out  companies  in  different  directionsi  to  forage  for  stock.  Succeeded 
in  gathering  a  large  amount  of  it.  We  were  here  South  of  the  road 
leading  from  Eastport  to  Florence.  We  had  crossed  that  road  on  the 
afternoon  of  the  6th. 

During  both  the  days  we  were  out,  we  could  frequently  hear  of  forces 
of  the  Rebel  cavalry  on  the  North  side  of  the  river.  They  were  often 
vepy  near  us,  but  always  kept  out  of  our  way. 

November  7th,  at  11  A.  M.,  we  took  up  our  march  to  strike  the 
Florence  road,  hoping  to  meet  the  Brigade.  We  met  them,  and  reported 
300  head  of  horses  and  mules,  250  head  of  cattle,  and  200  head  of 
sheep,  which  we  brought  in  and  turned  over.  We  met  the  column 
about  2  P.  M.,  and  bivouacked  near  a  large  brick  house,  residence  of 
Captain  Boggs. 

The  Regiment  was  now  ordered  to  draw  five  days  rations,  and  scout 
on  the  left  flank  of  the  advancing  column.  The  main  column,  consist- 
ing of  the  2d  Division,  16th  Army  Corps,  proceeded  in  the  direction  of 
Pulaski,  Tenn.,  leaving  Florence  about  eight  miles  to  the  right.  On 
the  march  Col.  Mersy,  commanding  2d  Brigade,  had  orders  to  burn  a 
large  Cotton  Factory,  which  was  being  run  by  orders  from  the  Southern 
Confederacy.  The  factory,  together  with  the  raw  cotton,  was  worth 
about  $100,000.  The  whole  establishment  was  consigned  to  the  flames 
oa  the  morning  of  the  10th  of  November. 

When  the  9th  111.  Inft.  left  the  advancing  column,  on  the  morning 
of  the  8th,  it  proceeded  in  the  direction  of  Waynesboro,  and  bivouacked 
twelve  miles  North-east  of  Waynesboro,  and  twenty  miles  from  Gravelly 
Springs.  Moved  forward  again  early  on  the  morning  of  the  9th,  and 
marched  thirty-five  miles,  bivouacking  near  Lawrenceburg.  We  moved 
again  on  the  morning  of  the  10th,  traversing  the  country  to  see  that  n0 
fiebel  forces  were  there  to  molest  the  column.  We  passed  through 


\ 

THE    NINTH   REGIMENT.  75 

Mt.  Pleasant.  Bivouacked  for  the  night  five  miles  from  Columbia, 
near  the  residence  of  Bishop  (now  Rebel  General)  Folk's  residence. 
On  the  morning  of  the  llth,  moved  into  Columbia,  and  proceeded  in 
the  direction  of  Pulaski,  Tenn.  Bivouacked  two  and  a  half  miles  from 
Pulaski.  On  .the  morning  of  the  12th,  moved  into  Pulaski,  and  joined 
the  column. 

During  this  scout  of  four  days,  part  of  our  business  still  being  to 
collect  stock,  we  brought  in  500  head  of  horses  and  mules.  Passed 
through  some  very  fine  and  well  improved  country.  There  was  no 
opposition  met  from  the  enemy,  worth  noting. 

From  the  time  of  leaving  camp  at  Pocahontas,  up  to  our  arrival  at 
Pulaski,  we  supposed  (at  least  the  uninitiated)  that  our  whole  force 
was  moving  on  in  the  direction  of  Chattanooga,  and  that  was  our  desti- 
nation. We  expected  soon  to  reach  that  place  and  take  part  in  the 
great  battle  pending  there.  But  on  arriving  at  Pulaski,  Gen.  Dodge 
established  his  Head  Quarters  there,  and  his  command  were  stationed 
along  the  Railroad  running  from  Nashville  to  Decatur,  to  repair  the 
road  for  use.  The  2d  Brigade,  with  the  exception  of  the  9th  111.  Inft, 
went  into  camp  at  Pulaski.  The  9th  was  still  ordered  on  detached 
duty,  and  sgnt  to  establish  a  post  at  Athens,  Alabama. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  12th  of  November,  we  moved  South  of 
Pulaski,  along  the  line  of  the  Railroad,  and  bivouacked  nine  miles  from 
Pulaski,  near  where  the  Ohio  Brigade  were  in  bivouack.  Here  the 
men  were  ordered  to  draw  five  days  rations,  in  their  havei|acks.  They 
were  also  notified  that  our  train  and  baggage  would  be  left  behind,  and 
to  make  a  change  of  clothing  if  they  desired  it. 

On  the  morning  of  the  13th  of  November,  we  moved  at  daylight, 
Southward,  leaving  our  wagons,  baggage,  and  hospital  to  proceed  with 
the  Ohio  Brigade  to  Prospect,  where  that  Brigade  was  to  "be  stationed. 
At*  Prospect,  we  forded  the  Elk  River.  When  the  advance  reached 
the  river,  and  were  looking  for  a  ford,  some  Rebel  soldiers  were  seen' 
on  the  opposite  side,  and  fired  upon.  They  interposed  no  obstacle  to 
our  crying,  however.  After  crossing  the  river,  one  battalion,  under 
command  of  Captain  Lowe,  proceeded  by  a  circuitous  and  Westerly 
route.  The  remainder  of  the  Regiment  proceeded  by  the  direct  route 
to  Athens,  Ala.,  arriving  there  before  sunset.  A  few  miles  North  of 
the  town,  one  man  of  Company  G.  was  taken  prisoner  when  out  foraging, 
by  a  few  Rebel  soldiers  who  were  in  the  neighborhood.  A  small  force  . 
of  Rebel  cavalry  had  occupied  Athens  on  that  day,  but  they  speedily 
left  on  our  arrival.  The  advance  of  our  column  came  very  rapidly  into 
town,  pursuing  the  party  who  had  captured  our  man.  They  were 


76  A    HISTORY   OF 

pursued  some  distance  through  the  town.  On  onr  arrival,  Lieut.  Col. 
Phillips,  who  was  in  command  of  the  Regiment  during  the  entire  march, 
took  possession  of  the  town.  Captain  I.  Clements  was  appointed  as 
Provost  Marshal,  with  his  Company  (G)  as  Provost  Guard.  Captain 
Lowe,  with  his  battalion,  reached  Athens  sometime  after  dark. 

The  Regiment  went  into  bivouack  in  different  parts  of  the  town. 
Col.  Phillips  made  his  Head  Quarters  in  the  Court  House. 

On  the  morning  of  the  14th  of  November,  the  entire  Regiment,  un- 
der command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips,  moved  South  towards  Decatur. 
Proceeded  to  the  bank  of  the%river  opposite  Decatur,  and  reconnoitered 
the  position.  Found  the  Rebels  were  occupying  the  town,  and  had  a 
Battery  of  two  guns.  We  moved  back  two  miles,  halted  and  fed. 
Parties  were  sent  in  different  directions  to  reconnoiter.  The  entire 
Regiment  returned  to  Athens  the  same  evening,  and  bivouacked  as  on 
the  previous  night. 

On  the  morning  of  the  15th  of  November,  the  Regiment  moved  out 
one  mile  North-east  of  town,  and  went  into  camp.  Here  we  remained 
until  the  morning  of  the  18th,  simply  sending  out  single  companies 
each  day  to  reconnoiter. 

One  object  of  our  expedition  was  to  examine  the  conation  of  the 
Railroad  and  telegraph  line.  On  leaving  Pulaski,  Lieut.  Oats,  with 
twelve  men,  was  detailed  for  that  purpose.  He  proceeded  along  the 
line  of  the  Railroad  from  Pulaski  to  Decatur,  examining  carefully  its 
condition.  The  writer  was  requested  by  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips  to  accom- 
pany him,  aim  report  the  condition  of  the  telegraph.  We  were  often 
separated  two  or  three  miles  from  the  main  column. 

On  the  evening  of  the  17th,  a  portion  of  the  teams  came  down  from 
Pulaski,  with  five  days*  rations,  and  returned  to  Prospect  the  next 
morning. 

On  the  morning  of  the  18th  November,  the  entire  Regiment  moved 
West,  in  the  direction  of  Florence.  Crossed  Elk  River,  fifteen  miles 
West  of  Athens,  and  halted  to  feed.  During  the  afternoon  of  this  day, 
when  near  Rodgersville,  the  advance  were  fired  upon  by  a  ilquad  of 
Rebels,  who  broke  and  ran.  No  one  hurt.  Two  companies  moved 
rapidly  down  to  the  Tennessee  River,  at  Lamb's  Ferry,  hoping  to 
capture  the  boat.  But  it  was  on  the  other  side  of  the  river.  Moved 
West  on  the  Florence  road,  and  bivouacked  for  the  night  nine  miles 
West  of  Rodgersville. 

November  19th,  we  moved  at  daylight,  Westward  on  the  Florence 
road.  At  Shoal  Creek  bridge  the  advance  encountered  and  chased 
some  Rebels,  who  seemed  to  be  guarding  the  bridge.  Proceeded  rapidly 


THE   NINTH   REGIMENT.  77 

with  two  companies,  to  Bambridge  Ferry,  six  miles  above  Florence,  and 
captured  the  ferry-boat.  The  Rebels  opened  fire  from  the  opposite  side 
of  the  river.  Our  two  companies  were  deployed  as  skirmishers,  and 
returned  the  fire.  A  brisk  fire  was  kept  up  for  one  hour,  until  the 
boat  was  destroyed,  when  we  started  on  our  return  march.  Re-crossed 
Shoal  Creek.  Halted  and  fed.  Mounted  and  continued  our  return 
march.  Bivouacked  for  the  night  West  of  Elk  River. 

We  moved  again  early  on  the  morning  of  the  20th  of  November,  and 
returned  to  Athens  about  12  M.  Proceeded  through  town,  on  the 
Decatur  road,  about  six  miles,  halted  and  fed.  From  this  point  four 
companies  returned  to  Athens,  and  occupied  our  old  camp.  The  re- 
mainder of  the  Regiment  proceeded  to  Moorsville.  Found  a  force 
occupying  that  place,  and  returned'  to  camp  at  Athens  on  the  21st.  On 
the  afternoon  of  this  day,  we  moved  our  camp  South-west  of  town.  . 
"  The  country  having  been  completely  explored,  and  considering  there 
was  no  immediate  danger  from  the  enemy,  the  Col.  Sent  for  our  teams 
and  baggage.  They  arrived  on  the  evening  of  the  21st,  and  the  boys 
were  glad  to  have  a  change  of  clothing. 

I  would  here  say,  that  upon  our  first  coming  to  Athens,  it  was  not 
deemed  prudent  to  remove  any  baggage  here,  except  such  as  could  be 
carried  on  our  animals.  Our  Regiment  was  sent  down  here  all  alone, 
in  the  midst  of  an  enemy's  country.  No  one  knew  the  exact  strength 
of  the  enemy.  It  was  fifteen  miles  to  Prospect,  where  our  nearest 
forces  were.  The  Elk  River  intervened,  and  was  often  past  fording. 
At  that  time  there  was  no  way  of  crossing  it,  except  on  a  very  small 
boat  which  would  only  carry  one  wagon.  It  was  a  hazardous  position 
we  occupied,  at  best.  There  was  a  heavy  force  of  Rebels  South  of  the 
Tennessee  "River.  There  were  a  number  of  ferries  for  crossing  at 
different  points.  But  having  reconnoitered  the  country,  and  destroyed 
several  of  the  enemy's  ferries,  it  was  thought  our  train  might  be  brought 
down  with  safety. 

From  the  time  we  left  camp  at  Pocahontas,  until  our  train  was 
brought  down,  we  had  been  out  23  days,  and  on  the  march  nearly  all  the 
time.  During  this  time,  we  had  with  us  no  tents  or  covering  of  any  kind, 
except  such  as  we  carried  on  our  animals.  We  would  march  all  day, 
often  making  40  and  45  miles,  and  then  lay  down  on  the  ground  at 
night,  with  no  covering  but  our  blankets.  During  this  time,  we  marched 
over  400  miles. 

When  our  train  arrived,  and  our  camping  ground  was  determined 
we  had  no  tents,  which  could  be  quickly  spread  for  a  shelter.  Most 
of  the  boys  were  under  the  necessity,  for  several  nights,  of  doing  a* 


78  A    HISTORY   OP 

they  had  done,  sleeping  in  the  open  air.  Soon  lumber  was  procured, 
from  the  fence  around  the  Fair  Grounds  and  the  buildings  it  contained, 
and  unoccupied  stables  and  fences,  with  which  to'build  shanties.  But 
we  had  no  nails,  and  this  country  could  furnish  none.  But  where  there 
were  buildings  and  fences,  there  were  nails,  and  the  old  nails  were  pre- 
served, and  thus  the  boys  built  their  houses.  After  a  time,  they  were 
quite  comfortable  in  them.  The  work  of  building  uNew  Athens"  was, 
however  much  retarded  by  the  fact  that  several  companies  of  the  Regi" 
.  '  ment  were  .almost  constantly  out  on  scouting  duty.  But  ere  long  their 
houses  were  finished,  with  comfortable  fire-places  attached. 

As  I  have  stated  above,  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips,  with  the  9th  111.  Inft.: 
was  detached,  and  sent  to  Athens  to  establish  a  post.  It  was  a  strange 
kind  of  post  for  two  or  three  weeks.  Much  was  said  about  "Col. 
Phillips'  circulating  post."  After  we  were  settled  down  in  our  camp, 
however,  Col.  Phillips  formally  assumed  command  of  the  post,  with  his 
Head  Quarters  in  town,  leaving  Major  Kuhn  in  command  of  the  Regi- 
ment. Still  thepos?,  or  its  head,  was  rather  circulatory;  for  whenever 
the  Regiment  was  out  on  a  scout  of  any  considerable  importance,  the 
Col.  was  sure  to  go  along. 

It  devolved  upon  our  Regiment  not  only  to  hold  its  post  at  Athens, 
but  to  guard  the  crossings  of  the  Tennessee  River  for  a  distance  of  not 
less  than  fifty  miles  in  length.  Consequently,  there  was  a  great  amount 
of  scouting  duty  to  perform.  Almost  daily,  the  various  crossings  of 
the  Tennessee  River,  between  Decatur  and  Florence,  were  visited  by 
portions  of  our  Regiment,  and  the  ferry-boats  either  destroyed  or 
captured. 

On  the  28th  of  November,  three  companies,  under  command  of  Lieut. 
Col.  Phillips,  moved  West  at  11  P.  M.,  on  the  Florence  road,  and 
crossed  Elk  River,  in  search  of  some  Rebel  cavalry  said  to  have  crossed 
the  Tennessee  River  that  evening.  He  came  upon  and  captured  a 
squad  of  fifteen  of  them.  Not  finding  any  more  force,  he  was  return- 
ing to  camp  the  next  morning  with  his  prisoners,  when  he  was  met  by 
a  dispatch  from  Gen.  Dodge,  stating  that  a  large  body  of  Rebels  had 
crossed  about  Florence,  and  ordering  him  to  reconnoiter  and  watch 
their  movements,  and  develop  their  strength.  A  squad  of  men  were 
•*•  sent  in  with  the  prisoners,  with  orders  for  one  company  more  to  join 
him.  He  had  gone  out  with  only  one  days'  rations.  The  company 
that  joined  him  could  not  carry  rations  to  him,  for  we  were  short  in 
camp.-  Our  teams  had  gone  to  Pulaski  for  rations.  The  Division 
^  teams  from  Columbia  had  not  arrived  with  rations,  as  expected.  Our 
teams  were  detained  there  several  days.  But  the  boys  of  the  9th  ar* 

•B 

/ 


THE    NINTH    REGIMENT,  7£ 

not  likely  to  starve,  when  there  is  anything  in  the  country  around 
them  to  eat. 

The  first  night  they  camped  near  the  town  of  Rodgersville.  The 
Col.  sent  orders  to  the  different  houses  in  town,  requiring  each  to  sup- 
ply a  certain  number  of  rations  of  corn  bread.  Some  demurred,  saying 
they  had  nothing  of  which  to  make  bread.  A  second  order  was  senty 
that  if  it  was  not  provided  in  such  a  length  of  time,  he  would  burn  their 
houses.  This  brought  corn  bread  in  abundance,  but  not  of  a  very  fine 
quality.  The  next  night  they  camped  near  a  good  supply  of  sweet 
potatoes,  to  which  they  helped  themselves.  The  .following  day  they 
came  across  a  store  of  Rebel  commissaries,  and  were  thus  further  pro- 
vided. They  were  out  four  days.  Came  upon  a  body  of  Rebels,  of 
whom  they  captured  about  thirty.  When  pursuing  them,  Col.  Phillips- 
was  chasing  his  man,  and  made  a  sabre  stroke  at  -him,  cutting  him  over 
the  head.  About  that  time,  the  Col.'s  horse  fell,  and  threw  him  on  hig 
face  on  the  frozen  ground.  He  captured  hig  man,  however. 

On  the  25th  of  January,  1864,  Companies-!},  C,  D,  F,  H,  I  and  K> 
ttnde*r  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips,  moved  out  on  a  reconnoisance 
West.  This  left  but  three  companies  jn  camp.  Company  A  was  doing 
picket  duty.  Company  G  was  acting  as  Provost  Guard,  and  stationed 
in  town.  This  left  Company  E  in  camp  alone.  News  of  the  weakness 
of  our' force  was  immediately  carried  over  the  river,  and  Gen,  Roddy 
notified  of  it.  Consequently,  early  on  the  morning  of  the  26th  of 
January,  about  4  A.  M.,  our  camp  was  attacked #by  Gen.  Rtfddy,  with 
700  men  and  two  pieces  of  artillery.  The  pickets  on  the  West  of  our 
camp  were  fired  upon.  Company  E  moved  out  promptly  to  support  the 
pickets,  when  they  met  the  overwhelming  force  of  the  enemy.  After 
a  brief  engagement,  and  finding  the  strength  of  the  enemy,  this  company  ' 
fell  back  into  town,  to  co-operate  with  Company  G.  This  gave  the. 
Rebels  possession  of  our  camp.  They  plundered  it  of  all  the  baggage 
and  valuables.  Our  men  were  pursued  into  the  town,  the  Rebels 
occupying  the  Southern  part  of  the  town,  and  our  boys  the  Northern 
part.  The  Rebels  also  placed  their  artillery  in  position,  and  began  to 
shell  the  town.  After  a  smart  skirmish  of  about  forty  minutes,  the- 
enemy  retreated,  and  returned  towards  the  river.  This  they  did, 
although  they  numbered  ten  to  our  one. 

The  loss  of  the  9th,  in  this  engagement,  was  two  men  wounded,  via: 
Spring,  of  Company  C,  (since  dead,)  and  Holcomb,  of  Company  I.  One 
man,  not  a  soldier,  but  an  employe  of  our  Surgeon,  was  shot  in  the 
hospital  yard,  although  entirely  unarmed.  The  enemy  admit  a  loss  of 
six  killed  and  eighteen  wounded.  Three  of  our  boys  pursued  them.,. 


80  A   HISTORY   OP 

and  fired  upon  them  when  a  short  distance  from  the  river,  killing  one 
and  wounding  two.  They  returned  to  camp  safely,  except  -that  they 
lost  their  horses. 

The  officers  lost  all  their  baggage  and  effects,  except  such  as  they 
had  with  them.  So  with  the  men. 

On  the  28th,  seven  companies,  under  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips, 
moved  West  on  the  Florence  road.  Bivouacked  for  the  night,  eight 
miles  East  of  Florence. 

Early  on  the  29th,  moved  into  Florence,  chasing  some  Rebel  soldiers 
from  the  town.  Passed  on  twelve  miles  West  of  Florence,  to  Pride's 
Ferry.  Here  we  had  a  sight  of  some  Rebels,  but  they  made  good  their 
escape.  We  destroyed  a  factory  and  mill  in  this  region.  Captured  a 
train  of  about  twenty  wagons  with  their  teams. 

Near  this  Ferry  lives  a  man  named  Woods,  who  is  living  with  a 
negro  woman  as  his  wife.  To  this  woman  he  had  a  large  number  of 
children,  whom  he  was  holding  as  slaves.  He  was  holding  about  forty 
of-  his  own  children  as  slaves.  The  Regiment  foraged  heavily  upon 
him.  About  3  P.  M.,  we  started  on  the  return  march,  and  bivouacked 
four  miles  from  Florence.  In  this  region,  large  numbers  of  negroes 
came  in,  and  followed  the  Regiment  on  its  return  march  to  Athens. 

On  the  morning  of  the  30th,  moved  towards  Athens,  and  bivouacked 
for  the  night,  West  of  Elk  River.  On  the  31st,  reached  camp  at 

Athens. 

v 

The  Regiment  was  out,  during  this  expedition,  four  days.  It  brought 
in  about  500  negroes,  men,  women  and  children;  150  head  of  horses 
and  mules,  and  100  head  of  cattle,  besides  a  train  of  20  wagons. 

On  the  15th  of  February,  the  Regiment,  underf  command  of  Lieut> 
Col.  Phillips,  moved  to  the  Tennessee  River,  at  Lucas  &  Brown's  Ferry. 
The  Regiment  remained  in  bivouac  during  that  entire  week.  Their 
Work  was  patroling  the  river  for  ten  or  fifteen  miles  above  and  below 
Decatur,  capturing  flat-boats  and  ferry-boats,  constructing  canoes,  &c. 
The  weather  was  very  cold.  They  had  no  shelter.  Had  to  work  much 
about  the  water,  and  withal,  it  was  a  very  hard  week's  duty.  The 
Rebels  were  occupying  the  other  side  of  the  river,  and  there  was  almost 
constant  firing  at  each  other  across  the  river.  Lieut.  Oats,  of  Co.  K, 
was  in  a  flat-boat  with  fifteen  men,  when  he  was  fired  upon  by  about 
twenty  Rebels,  at  close  range.  One  man  of  Co.  I  was  severely  wounded. 
The  fire  was  returned,  and  it  is  thought,  from  the  noise,  several  of  the 
enemy  were  killed  and  wounded.  The  Lieutenant  captured  four  Rebel 
prisoners/ 

The  Regiment  returned  to  camp  on  the  20th,  leaving  two  companion 


THE   NINTH  REGIMENT.  81 

to  patrol  the  river  and  guard  our  boats.  During  the  week  of  boat 
capturing,  one  flat-boat  captured  above  Decatur  "ran  the  blockade" 
past  the  town,  with  three  of  our  boys  in  it.  They  lay  down  flat,  and 
let  it  float.  Many  incidents  of  interest  occurred  during  this  week,  but 
I  have  not  room  to  note  them  here. 

On  the  22d  of  February,  the  39th  Regiment  Ohio  Infantry  arrived 
at  Athens,  and  went  into  camp.  Col.  Noyes,  of  the  39th  Ohio,  assumed 
command  of  the  post,  relieving  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips,  who  again  assumed 
command  of  the  Regiment. 

From  the  20th  of  February,  up  to  the  7th  of  March,  two  companies 
of  the  -9th  111.  was  kept  constantly  at  the  Tennessee  River,  patroling  it 
for  several  miles  below  Decatur.  These  companies  were  relieved  every 
two  days,  by  others.  In  the  meantime  several  other  regiments  passed 
through  Athens,  on  their  way  towards  Decatur.  These  were  the  63d 
Ohio,  27th  Ohio,  43d  Ohio,  and  lllth  Illinois,  with  the  4th  Michigan 
Battery. 

The  Railroad  was  completed  about  the  last  week  of  February,  and 
the  cars  commenced  running  through  from  Nashville.  Soon  boats  to 
construct  a  pontoon  bridge  at  Decatur,  commenced  passing  on  the  cars. 
Gen.  Dodge,  who  commands  the  department,  was  below.  Active  prepa- 
rations were  being  made  for  occupying  Decatur.  To  do  this,  the 
Tennesse  River  must  be  crossed,  in  the  face  of  an  opposing  foe.  The 
enemy  was  occupying  Decatur,  and  the  South  bank  of  the  river  at  the 
various  ferries  below. 

The  Regiment  was  paid,  by  Major  Gregory,  on  the  2d  of  March, 
1864,  for  the  months  of  November  and  December.     It  had  been  paid 
on  the  16th  of  December,  1863,  by  Major  Hinkley,  for  the  m  onths  of 
September  and  October,  1863. 

On  the  morning  of  the  7th  of  March,  the  9th  111.,  together  with  a 
detachment  of  60  men  of  the  18th  Mo.,  and  two  sections  of  a  U.  S. 
Battery,  stationed  at  Athens,  received  marching  orders,  and  moved  at 
10  A.  M.,  on  the  Lucas  Ferry  road.  Arriving  within  two  miles  of  the 
river  at  2  P.  M.,  they  halted  and  fed,  remaining  until  near  dark,  when 
they  moved  on  to  the  river  under  cover  of  darkness. 

It  was  known  that  an  attempt  would  be  made  to  cross  the  Tennessee 
River  that  night  or  early  the  next  morning,  both  at  Lucas  Ferry  and 
Decatur.  The  flat-boats,  canoes,  &c.,  which  the  9th  111.  had  for  the 
past  two  or  three  weeks  been  collecting  at  Lucas  Ferry,  would  now  be 
brought  into  use.  At  Decatur,  the  boats  intended  for  the  construction 
of  the  pontoon  bridge,  would  be  used  for  crossing.  Gen.  Dodge  was 
at  Decatur  superintending  the  crossing  in  person.  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips, 
[6] 


82  A   HISTORY   OF 

of  the  9th  111.,  was  in  charge  of  the  expedition  at  Lucas  Ferry,  whiefr 
ia  three  miles  below  Decatur. 

The  Regiment  went  into  bivouac,  after  dark,  about  one  hundred 
yards  from  the  river.  The  flat-boats  and  canoes  had  been  moved  up 
the  river  one  mile,  so  as  to  have  the  advantage  of  the  current.  Severa 
pontoon  boats  had  been  floated  down  a  stream  running  from  the  Railroad 
to  a  point  within  a  mile  or  two  of  the  Ferry.  These  had  to  be  taken 
across  on  wagons  to  the  river  and  up  -to  the  point  from  which  the  boats 
were  to  start.  This  occupied  a  portion  of  the  men  during  the  greater 
part  of  the  night. 

Details  were  made,  of  three  men  from  each  company,  who  could  man 
a  canoe,  and  Tour  men  from  each  company  for  boatmen.  During  the 
night  there  was  a  heavy  rain,  after  which  it  cleared  up,  and  the  stara 
shone  brightly.  Before  day,  however,  a  very  heavy  fog  settled  over 
the  water  and  surrounding  country.  This  was  favorable  to  our  crossing, 
as  a  man  could  not  be  seen,  on  the  water,  only  at  a  very  short  distance. 

About  2  A.  M.,  the  artillery  was  placed  in  position  on  the  river  bank. 
The  forces  were  ordered  into  line.  The  details  for  canoe  men  and 
boatmen  received  their  orders.  .  The  advance  were  to  pass  over  in  canoes. 
They  were  placed  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Rollmann,  and  were 
instructed  to  proceed  directly  across,  as  rapidly  as  possible.  When 
they  struck  the  opposite  shore,  they  were  to  abandon  their  canoes,  and 
hold  the  positions  until  the  boats  would  get  over. 

The  flat-boats  and  pontoons  were  placed  under  the  command  of  Lieut* 
Oats.  All  were  marched  up  the  river  to  the  boats,  and  at  4:30  A.  M.r 
the  boats  and  canoes  were  loaded  and  started  over.  When  the  advance 
was  within  about  30  yards  of  the  shore,  the  enemy  fired  a  few  shots, 
and  retired  rapidly  in  the  direction  of  Courtland.  The  entire  command 
crossed  over  in  one  and  a  half  hours,  and  reported  at  Decatur.  During 
the  day  and  night  following,  the  animals  and  teams  were  crossed  over. 
Capt.  Lowe,  who  had  the  crossing  of  the  animals  in  charge,  was  attacked 
by  a  party  of  Rebels,  and  one  man  was  taken  prisoner. 

The  Regiment  moved  East,  on  the  Courtland  road,  at  9:30  A.  M., 
March  9th,  and  reached  Courtland  at  4^P.  M.,  without  meeting  any 
body  of  the  enemy.  We  bivouacked  for  £he  night  on  the  Moulton  road, 
three  miles  Soutn  of  Courtland. 

On  the  morning  of  the  10th  of  March,  we  moved  into  Moulton.  The 
enemy  had  left  the  place  three  hours  before  our  arrival.  They  moved 
from  Moulton  at  daylight,  on  the  Russelville  road.  We  captured,  at 
Moulton,  several  prisoners,  one  flag,  a  quantity  of  ammunition,  and  hos- 
pital and  commissary  stores.  From  Moulton,  we  moved  towards  De- 


T1IE   JJINTH   REGIMENT.  83 

catur,  reacliing  that  place  ai,    sundown.      There   the  Regiment  was 
ordered  into  cainp,  to  be  quartered  in  houses  in  town. 

On  the  morning  of  the  llth  of  March,  Adjutant  Klock  was  ordered 
to  Athens  with  a  squad  of  men,  to  have  the  camp  and  garrison  equip- 
age moved  to  Decatur,  which  is  being  done  at  present  writing,  March 
12th,  1864. 

How  long  we  will  remain  in  Decatur,  or  where  we  shall  go  next,  or 
how  we  shall  be  employed  during  the  remaining  four  months  of  our 
eervice,  are  all  matters  in  the  future,  and,  in  any  department  of  life, 
uncertain,  but  especially  in  military  life. 

There  are  some  incidents  of  interest,  which  occurred  during  the 
period  of  this  chapter. 

The  first  day  after  crossing  the,  Tennessee  River,  while  making  for 
a  place  to  camp  for,  the  night,  where  we  learned  there  was  forage  for 
our  animals,  it  began  to  get  dark  before  we  reached  the  point.  The 
Col.  drew  up  before  a  house  near  the  road,  to  make  some  inquiry.  A 
man  came  to  the  gate.  Inquiry  was  made  as  to  the  distance  to  the 
point  we  wished  to  reach.  These  inquiries  were  followed  by  others  as 
to  whether  there  were  any  soldiers  in  the  neighborhood*  The  reply 
was  that  there  w*ere. 

CoL—"Were  they  Yanks?" 
Citizen.— "Yes." 

Col. — "How  many  was  there  of  them?" 

Citizen. — "  Oh,  there  was  a  great  many  of  them.     At  least  1,000." 
Col. — "Was  that  all?     I  can  easily  whip  twice  that  number.     Bui 
I  guess,  my  friend,  you  must  go  along  and  show  us  the  road  to  their 
camping  ground." 

The  poor  man,  thinking  that  we  were  Rebel  soldiers,  called  to  one 
of  the  boys  to  bring  him  out  his  horse  until  he  would  go  with  those 
men.  But  when  the  boy  went  to  the  stable  to  get  the  horse,  it  was  not 
there.  Our  foraging  parties  had  visited  the  stable,  and  relieved  him 
of  his  horse.  He  went  into  the  house  to  get  his  coat.  There,  I  think,, 
he  began  to  realize  that  he  was  sold.  Some  of  our  boys  had  been  in 
to  get  "  corn  bread,"  and  the  old  lady,  I  suppose,  had  noticed  the  blue 
uniform,  and  reported  us  as  "Yanks."  When  he  came  out  he  did  not 
eeem  near  so  willing  to  go  along.  But  he  went  with  us,  and  when  we 
got  into  camp,  he  waked  up  to  the  fact  that  he  was  a  "  prisoner  of  war." 
He  had  been  in  the  Rebel  army,  and  was  detailed  as  a  blacksmith,  to 
shoe  the  horses  through  the  country,  that  they  might  be  ready  for 
government  use.  He  was  taken  with  us,  as  a  prisoner.  I  saw  him  a. 
week  later,  when  on  our  march,  still  a  prisoner. 


84  A   HISTORY    OF 

Another.  On  the  next  evening,  an  old  negro  man  was  with  us  when 
we  bivouacked.  He  was  a  preacher,  and  quite  an  oracle  among  the 
darkies  in  that  region  of  country.  As  we  were  gathered  around  our 
camp-fire,  the  old  man  was  called  up  to  be  questioned  by  the  Colonel. 
After  giving  all  the  information  he  could,  he  told  us  of  his  visions  and 
spiritual  communications.  Says  he,  "I  sees  all  .dis  trouble  seben 
years  ago.  I  sees  you  alls  a  comin  down  from  the  Norf.  I  sees  dese 
two  great  armies,  with  dah  uniforms  on,  and  all  dis  fitin  and  killin  one 
anocler."  On  being  asked  how  he  saw  all  this,  he  replied,  "I  sees  it 
spiritually."  He  was  asked  i'f  he  saw  which  was  going  to  whip,  he 
said,  ;'Lor,  massa,  yes;  I  sees  de  Norf  a  whippin." 

Still  another.  During  the-  march  from  Corinth  to  Pulaski,  Colonel 
Mersy  of  the  9th,  commanding  Brigade,  being  in  camp,  sleeping  near 
his  camp-fire,  which  was  made  of  Chfstnut  rails,  noted  for  their  popping 
propensities  when  burning,  the  fire  flew  out  and  set  his  clothes  or 
blankets  on  fire.  The  Head  Quarters  guard  seeing  it,  went  and  awoke 
him,  telling  him  that  he  was  on  fire.  His  reply  was,  "Adjutant!  Ad. 
jutant!"  But  the  Adjutant  was  sound  asleep,  and  did  not  answer  hia 
call.  The  Col,. being;  scarcely  awake,  was  soon  asleep  again.  The  guard 
awoke  him  a  second  time,  and  told  him  he  was  on  fire.  "I  tink  dat 
no  my  business;  you  wake  de  Adjutant."  The  Col.,  so  full  of  military 
life,  and  wishing  everything  to  go  through  its  proper  military  channel, 
felt,  in  his  half.sleeping  condition,  that  his  Adjutant  General  must  be 
honored  with  the  permission  of  getting  up  and  putting  out  the  fire. 

Another  one,  in  which  our  good  Colonel  is  concerned.  During  the 
march,  just  before  going  into  camp,  Rebel  uniforms  and  other  accou- 
trements of  war,  were  found'  at  a  house  near  the  road.  The  soldiers 
made  a  pretty  general  red  up  of  the  establishment.  After  we  were  in 
camp,  the  woman  of  the  house  came  to  Col.  Mersy,  with  her  complaint. 
She  represented,  among  other  things,  that  she  had  been  a  widow  for 
fifteen  years.  Soon  Surgeon  Gulick,  of  the  9th,  who  was  with  the  Col., 
heard  him  call,  "Doctor!  Doctor!"  The  Doctor  having  arrived  and 
awaiting  orders,  the  Col.  addressed  him:  "Now,  my  dear  Surgeon,  yon 
does  tell  me  if  dis  widow  has  been  not  married  dese  fifteen  year." 

Another  one,  which  illustrates  something  of  the  habits  of  Southern 
women.  They  nearly  all  use  tobacco,  in  some  shapef  Some  of  them 
in  the  various  forms,  of  smoking,  chewing,  and  dipping.  When  the 
Regiment  was  on  its  march  from  Pulaski  to  Athens,  the  writer  was 
with  a  squad  of  men,  who  were  traveling  along  the  Railroad  examining 
its  condition.  Being  separated  from  the  column,  the  boys  becoming 
hungry,  and  desiring  something  to  eat,  rode  up  to  a  house  where  there 


I  THE    NINTH    REGIMENT.  85 

were  three  or  four  women  standing  at  the  door.  One  of  them  inquired 
if  they  could  get  something  to  eat.  The  corn  bread  was  produced.  He 
then  asked  for  some  butter,  which  was  also  produced.  One  of  the  girls, 
thinking,  I  suppose,  that  one  favor  deserved  another,  very  smilingly 
addressed  one  of  the  soldiers,  saying,  "Could  you  give  me  a  chew  of 
tobacco?"  "  Oh,  yes,"  says  he,  taking  a  large  plug  of  tobacco  from  his 
pocket  ami  handing  it  to  her.  She  took  a  chew,  and  then  reached  it 
back,  thanking  him.  "Oh,"  says  he,  "you  may  just  keep  that,  I  can 
get  more."  She  thanked  him  very  kindly.  I  suppose  she  thought  she 
.  was  pretty  well  paid  for  her  corn  bread  and  butter. 

Another..  Capt.  Krebs,  of  Company  D,  with  a  squad  of  25  men, 
was  detailed  to  go  with  the  telegraph  repairer  along  the  line  between 
Huntsville  and  Decatur.  At  a  ttation  between  those  two  points,  a 
email  town,  there  were  two  telegraph  posts  down,  the  line  on  each  side 
being  perfect  for  two  or  three  miles.  The  Captain  and  operator  rode* 
up  to  some  citizens  who  were  on  the  street,  and  politely  asked  them  if 
they  could  not  have  those  two  posts  set  by  the  next  day,  stating  that 
it  would  save  them  the  trouble  of  bringing  their  team  and  men  several 
miles,  and  would  be  a  very  great  accommodation.  One  old  man  replied, 
<:  We  can't  do  it,  sir.  You  have  taken  all  our  negroes  from  us,  and  we 
have  nobody  to  work  for  us."  •  The  Captain  insisted  that  it  was  but  a 
small  job,  and  it  would  save  him  a  great  amount  of  trouble,  if  they 
would  do  it.  The  old  man  persisted  that  they  could  not  do  it.  The 
Captain  then  addressed  them  as  follows:  "Gentlemen,  I  will  be  here 
to-morrow  evening,  with  fifty  men  to  do  that  work.  You  will  have 
supper  provided  for  that  number  of  men."  Then  turning  to  his  com- 
mand, he  gave  the  order,  "Two  right,  march!"  and  moved  off.  When 
he  had  gone  a  mile  or  two,  a  runner  came  up  and  handed  him.  a  note, 
saying  that  the  citizens  would  have  those  jSJsts  set  by  to-morrow  morning. 
The  "supper  for  fifty  men  "had  been  a  more  powerful  argument  than 
the  Captain's  pleadings.  I  suppose  it  led  them  to  conclude,  that  if 
they  had  no  darkies  to  do  it,  they  would  condescend  to  do  it  themselves. 

One  more.  Major  Falconet,  of  the  Rebel  army,  and -who  was  sta- 
tioned at  Decatur  for  some  time,  it  is  said,  had  come  to  the  conclusion 
to  take,  to  himself  a  wife.  He  had  gone  to  Florence  to  get  married. 
While  on  the  floor,  having  the  marriage  ceremony  performed,  Lieut. 
Col.  Phillips,  with  the  9th  111.,  made  a  dash  into  Florence.  Some  one 
came  into  the  room  and  cried  out,  "The  Yanks,  are  coming!"  The 
brave  Major  left  his  fair  companion,  broke  from  the  house,  and  over 
the  garden  fence,  tearing  down  about  twenty  feet  of  it,  dashed  to  his 
boat  and  was  off,  I  suppose  he  did  not  fancy  being  captured  just  then. 


S6  A    HISTORY    OF 

How  his  partly  constituted  bride  felt,  at  his  rapid  exit,  and  whether  he 
has  ever  returned  for  the  completion  of  the  ceremony,  "  deponeni 
gaith  not." 

Still  another,  showing  something  of  the  horrors  of  Slavery.  During 
the  recent  scout  to  Courtland  and  Moulton,  when  in  camp  near  the 
former  place,  the  orders  of  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips  were  to  be  ready  to 
move  by  daylight.  The  guard  were  instructed  to  wake  them  two  hours 
before  day.  The  orderlies  were  waked  at  the  proper  time.  When 
Adjutant  Klock  had  gotten  up,  he  was  informed  by  an  orderly  thai 
there  was  a  lady  wishing  to  see  the  Colonel.  The  Colonel  was  called. 
In  a  half-sleeping  condition,  he  told  the  Adjutant  to  see  what  she 
wished.  The  Adjutant  went  around  to  see  her.  He  saw  there  a  verj 
decently,  but  plainly  dressed  lady.  He  asked  her  what  she  wished. 
He  was  perfectly  amazed  at  her  reply.  She  said  her  master  was  going 
to  sell  her,  and  she  wished  to  know  if  she  could  not  go  .with  them. 
The  Adjutant  replied,  that  he  would  speak  to  the  Colonel  about  it,  and 
that  he  thought  they  could  make  arrangements  for  her  to  go  with  us. 
The  Colonel  having  dropped  asleep  in  the  meantime,  the  matter  was 
referred  to  Major  Kuhn.  He  told  her  at  once  that  she  could  go  along. 
She  accordingly  came  into  Decatur  with  our  Regiment.  To  Northern 
men,  unaccustomed  to  the  evils  of  the  system  of  Slavery,  such  scenes 
are  revolting.  Here  was  a  woman,  so  nearly  white,  that  she  was  mis- 
taken for  a  white  woman.  She  was,  in  all  probability,  her  master's 
daughter  or  sister. 


I 


BIOGRAPHICAL      SKETCHES 

OF   THE 

FIELD  AND  STAFF  OFFICERS. 


FIELD   AND    STAFF   OFFICERS.  89 


BIO  GRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

I  propose  to  add  to  this  history  of  the  Regiment,  a  Biographical 
Sketch  of  the  present  Field  and  Staff  Officers. 

COL.  AUGUST    MERSY. 

^Vas  born  in  Germany.  He  entered  the  military  service,  in  1 8 
as  Cadet,  in  Karlsrhue,  Grand  Duchy  of  Baden.  He  graduated  in  1840r 
as  Lieutenant.  He  was  promoted  to  the  position  of  1st  Lieutenant,  in 
1842.  In  1844,  he  was  assigned  the  position  of  Adjutant  and  staff 
officer.  In  1847,  he  was  appointed  Regimental  Adjutant.  A  European. 
Regiment  Consists  of  from  2,400  to  8,000  men.  In  this  position  he 
acted  until  1849.  At  the.outbreak  of  the  Revolution,  he  consequently 

M  .  *  *^ 

acted  against  that  Revolution.  In  1849,  however,  he  joined  the  Revo- 
lutionary party,  and  was  promoted  to  the  position  of  Colonel.  After 
joining  the  Revolutionary  party,  he  acted  for  some  time  as  Provisional 
Secretary  of  War.  He  soon,  however,  joined  the  army,  and  assumed 
command  of  the  Second  Brigade.  Whether  he  had  the  rank  of 
General,  or  only  acted  as  such  in  commanding  a  Brigade,  the  writer  is 
unable  to  say.  He  went  with  his  Brigade,  through  all  the  battles  and 
skirmishes  of  the  year  1849.  He  was  under  the  necessity  of  crossing- 
the  Rhine  for  Switzerland,  and  concluded  to  emigrate  to  America.  He 
arrived  in  the  United  States,  in  November,  1849.  Went  West,  and 
settled  in  Bellville,  St.  Clair  County,  Illinois.  He  was  for  some  time- 
Clerk,  and  afterwards  Cashier,  of  the  "Bank  of  Bellville."  He  also 
acted  as  Notary  Public. 

On  the  uprising  of  the  rebellion,  his  war  spirit  was  aroused.  I  think 
he  had  for  some  time  previous  had  command  of  a  volunteer  military 
company.  He  enlisted,  with  his  company,  in  the  "•  Three  months'" 
service.  He  enlisted  as  Captain  of  Company  A,  9th  Regiment  Illinois 
Infantry,  on  the  19th  of  April,  1861.  He  was  elected  Lieutenant 
Colonel,  April  26th,  1861.  This  position  he  held  during  the  "Three 
months' "  service.  He  was  mustered  out  of  the  service,  at  the  end  of 
the  three  months,  on  the  25th  of  July,  1861,  and  again  immediately 
mustered  in,  for  three  years,  as  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  9th  Illinois 
Infantry. 

He  was  promoted  to  the  position  of  Colonel,  and  received  his  com- 
mission as  such,  December  2d,  1861.  As  Colonel  and  commander  of 
the  Regiment,  he  passed  through  the  terrible  battles  of  Fort  Donelson 


SO  FIELD   AND    STAFF   OFFICERS. 

ii 

and  Shiloh,  and  the  "siege  of  Corinth."  He  was  wounded  twice  at 
the  battle  of  Shiloh;  but' notwithstanding  his  wounds,  he  persisted  in 
keeping  the  command  of  his  Regiment.  During  the  battle  of  Shiloh, 
Col.  McArthur,  commanding  our  Brigade,  was  severely  wounded,  in 
the  latter  part  of  the  action,  and  Col.  Mersy  assumed  command  of  ^the 
Brigade. 

During  the  battle  of  Corinth,  he  assumed  command  of  the  Brigade, 
Oeneral  Oglesby  having  been  wounded.  Since  that  time,  he  has  had 
command  of  the  2d  Brigade,  2d  Division,  16th  Army  Corps.  During 
the  Summer  and  Fall  of  1863,  he  was  stationed  with  his  Brigade 
Head  Quarters  at  Pocahontas,  Tennessee.  Since  November  12th,  1863, 
his  Brigade  Head  Quarters  have  been  at  Pulaski,  Tennessee. 

• 

LIEUT.  COL.  JESSE  J.  PHILLIPS. 

Was  born  in  Montgomery  County,  Illin6is,  May  22d,  1837.  He 
was  appointed  Route  Agent  on  the  Terre  Haute,  Alton  and  St.  Louis 
Railroad,  June  26th,  1856.  Resigned  in  Majr,  1857. 

He  read  law  with  the  Hon.  James  M.  Da-vis.,  of  Hillsboro,  Illinois. 
He  was  admitted  to  the  ,bar  in  the  Spring  of  1860,  and  opened  an  office 
in  Hillsboro,  the  county-seat  of  Montgomery  County,  Illinois.  He  was 
prosecuting  his  practice  when  the  first  call  was  made  for  volunteers  to 
serve  for  three  months. 

In  politics,  he  was  a  Breckenridge  Democrat.  Had  stumped  it,  for 
Breckenridge,  in  1860.  He  had  had  a  strong  desire  to  engage  in  a 
military  life.  When  the  call  was  made,  he  at  once  went  to  work  to 
raise  a  Company.  Raised  his  Company,  and  was  elected  Captain,  April 
17th,  1861.  The  Company  was  accepted  and  ordered  to  Springfield, 
Illinois,  on  the  23d  of  April,  1861. 

On  the  organization  of  the  9th  Regiment  Volunteer  Infantry,  for  the 
three  months'  service,  he  was  elected  as  Major  of  the  Regiment.  He 
acted  in  the  capacity  of  Major  in  the  Regiment  during  the  three  months' 
•ervice.  At  the  expiration  of  that  service,  he  was  mustered  out,  and 
immediately  mustered  in  again  for  three  years,  unless  sooner  discharged, 
retaining  still  the  rank  of  Major. 

He  received  a  commission  as  Lieutenant  Colonel  in  the  9th  Regiment 
Illinois  Infantry  in  December,  1861,  which  position  he  still  occupies. 
He  had  charge  of  a  detachment  of  the  Regiment,  which  made  a  suc- 
cessful expedition  from  Paducah  to  Saratoga,  Ky.  This  was  the  first 
fight  in  which  our  boys  were  engaged.  He  was  with  the  Regiment  as 
Lieutenant  Colonel,  through  the  battles  of  Port  Donelson  and  ShiloL. 


FIELD    AND    STAFF  OFFICERS.  91 

At  Shilohjlie  received  a  very  severe  wound  from  a  schrapnel.  He  was 
wounded  in  the  hand  arid  leg.  The  wound  in  his  hand  was  a  very 
painful  one.  He  was  unfitted  for  the  service  by  it,  for  several  months. 
At  the  battle  of  Corinth,  on  the  3d  and  4th  of  October,  he  had  not  yet 
been  able  to  join  his  Regiment.  He  joined  it  soon  afterward,  although 
still  suffering  much  from  the  pain  caused  by  his  wound. 

During  the  Fall  of  1862  and  Winter  of  1863,  he  was  much  of  the 
time  in  command  of  the  Regiment,  Col.  Mersy  being  called  to  the 
command  of  the  Brigade.  In  March,  1863;  he  made  application  to 
have  the  Regiment  mounted  for  scouting  purposes.  The  Regiment 
was  .mounted  OTI  the  20th  of  March,  1863.  During  the  year  that  the 
Regiment  has  been  mounted,  he  has  led  it  through  23  battles  and 
skirmishes. 

He  has  frequently  been  placed  in  command  of  a  Brigade  of  mounted 
forces,  and  in  one  or  two  instances,  of  a  Division.  He  had  command 
•of  two  Brigades  of  Cavalry  and  Mounted  Infantry,  with  which  he  made 
A  raid  in  August,  1863/to  Grenada,  Mississippi.  It  was  one  of  the 
most  successful  raids « of  the  war.  From  $8,000,000.  to  10,000,000 
worth  of  public  property  was  destroyed;  2,000  negroes,  and  a,  large 
number  of  horses  and  mules  were  brought  in.  But  little  was  said 
about  it  at  the  time.  Many  a  less  brilliant  raid  has  brought  forth 
a  star. 

He  was  in  command  of  the  post  at  Athens,  Alabama,  for  two  or  three 
months  during  the  past  Winter.  He  has  lately  been  assigned  to  the 
command  of  all  the  mounted  forces  at  Decatur,  Alabama.  There  is  a 
great  amount  of  dash  and  daring  about  the  Colonel,  and  yet  he  always 
manages  to  get  his  boys  out  of  any  place,  into  which  he  leads  them. 


MAJOR   JOHN   H.    KUHN. 

Was  born  in  St.  Gallen,  Switzerland,  May  26th,  1833.  Emigrated 
to  the  United  States,  and  landed  in  New  York,  in  June,  1849.  He 
was,  by  occupation,  a  laborer.  Hired  with  a  farmer  near  Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania,'  during  the  first  summer.  He  removed  to  East  Tennessee, 
where  he  spent  three  years,  part  of  the  time  in  a  glass  factory  in  Knox- 
ville,  and  part  of  the  time  boating  on  the  Tennessee  River.  He  moved 
to  Alton,  Illinois,  in  1854.  Was  engaged  for  a  time  in  the  lumber 
business,  and  afterwards  in  a  banking  house.  He  had  served  for  about 
six  years  in  the  State  Militia,  and  entered  the  service  of  the  United 
States,  on  the  call  for  volunteers  for  three  months.  He  enlisted  with 
his  company  of  "Alton  Jagers,"  as  their  Captain,  April  19th,  1861, 
and  was  attached  to  the  9th  Illinois  Infantry.  He  re-enlisted  at  tha 


92  FIELD   AND    STAFF    OFFICERS. 


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expiration  of  three  months,  for  three  years.  Served,  for  sometii 
Provost  Marshal  of  Paducah,  Kentucky.  He  received  his  commission 
as  Major  of  the  9fch  Illinois  Infantry,  December  2d,  1861.  He  was 
detailed  during  some  months  in  the  Summer  and  Fall  of  1863,  in 
charge  of  convalescent  camp  in  Memphis,  Tennessee.  Rejoined  the 
Regiment  at  Athens,  Alabama,  November  21st,  1863.  At  present 
writing,  he  has  command  of  his  Regiment,  Lieut.  Col.  Phillips  being 
assigned  to  the  command  of  the  mounted  forces  at  Decatur,  Alabama. 

•• 

SURGEON    EMIL    GULICK,  M.  D. 

Was  born  in  the'  city  of  Schleswig,  Dutchdom  Schleswig,  on  the  29th 
of  November,  1828.  'After  finishing  his  school  education,  he  com- 
menced, the  study  of  -Chemistry  in  particular,  but  with  it  the  other 
branches  of  the  medical  science.  While  quietly  pursuing  his  studies, 
the  sound  of  the  drum  rang  through  the  land,  calling  all  able-bodied 
citizens  into  the  field  to  fight  for  the  independence  of  the  Dutchdoms 
from  the  Kingdom  of  Denmark.  This  call  was  in  March,  1848.  The 
Doctor  was  then  in  his  20th  year.  Obeying  his  country's  call,  he  en- 
listed to  do  battle  for  liberty.  He  enlisted  as  a  private.  He  was 
afterwards  engaged  as  an  Assistant  in  the  Medical  Department.  He 
was  connected  with  the  army  in  these  capacities  until  1851.  He  emi- 
grated to  America  in  1853.  He  re-commenced  his  Medical  studies,  and 
graduated  in  the  St.  Louis  MedicaJ  College,  in  1859.  He  commenced 
the  practice  of  medicine  during  the  same  year,  'in  Alton,  Madison 
County,  Illinois.  When  the  Rebellion  broke  out,  and  there  was  a  call 
for  men  to  defend  the  government  of  his  adoption,  he  offered  himself 
for  that  purpose.  He  enlisted,  in  the  three  months'  service,  as  a  private, 
in  Company  K,  9th  Regiment  Volunteer  Infantry,  on  the  26th  day  of 
April,  1861.  He  re-enlisted,  at  the  expiration  of  three  months,  for 
three  years,  July  26th,  1861,  and  was  promoted  to  the  position  of 
Assistant  Surgeon  of  the  9th  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  On  the  28th 
of  April,  1862,  he  was  again  promoted  to  the  position  of  Surgeon.  He 
has  served  in  that  position  ever  since.  He  has  been  almost  constantly 
with  his  Regiment.  He  was  on  detached  duty  in  the  Hospital  at  Pa- 
ducah, Kentucky,  during  the  months  of  September  and  October,  1863. 


ASSISTANT    SURGEON    W.  D.  CRAIG,  M.  D. 

Was  born  in  Montgomery  County,  Indiana,  March  27th,  1828.     He 
was  raised  on  a  farm.     Was  educated  at  Crawfordsville,  Indiana.     He 


FIELD   AND    STAFF   OFFICERS.  93 

' 

moved  to  Illinois  in  1849,  and  graduated  at  Rush  Medical  College, 
Chicago,  Illinois,  in  the  Spring  of  1852.  From  that  time,  up  to  the 
Summer  of  1861,  he  was  engaged  in  the  practice  of  Medicine.  Was 
living  in  Aledo,  the  county-seat  of  Mercer  County,  Illinois,  and  engaged 
in  the  duties  of  his  profession,  at  the  time  of  his  enlisting  in  the  service 
of  his  country.  He  recruited  a  large  portion  of  a  Company  in  Mercer 
County.  Was  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States,  as  1st 
Lieutenant  Company  E,  9th  Regiment  Volunteer  Infantry,  August 
<3th,  1861.  Served  in  that  capacity  until  May  12th,  18H2.  During 
the  time  he  served  as  a  line  officer,  he  passed  through  the  terrible 
struggles  of  Fort  Donelson  and  Shiloh.  He  was  slightly  wounded  at 
Shiloh,  in  the  left  shoulder,  by  a  spent  ball.  He  was  assigned  to  the 
Medical  Department  of  the  Regiment,  in  the  capacity  of  Assistant  Sur- 
geon, on  the  12th  of  May,  1862.  Continued  with  the  Regiment  in 
this  capacity,  until  the  las^of  December,  1863,  when  he  was  aSlgned 
to  duty  in  Pulaski,  Tennessee.  During  the  past  Winter,  he  has  had 
charge  of  the  U.  S.  General  Hospital  of  tho  left  wing,  16th  Army 
Corpse,  at  Pulaski,  Tennessee.  He  has  under  his  charge  there,  about 
an  average  of  two  hundred  patients,  including  a  Small-Pox  ward  of 
from  ten  to  fifteen  patients. 


SECOND   ASSISTANT  SURGEON  W.  A.  ALLEN,  M.  D. 

Was  born  in  Jacksonville,  Illinois,  March  5th,  1830.  Read  Medi- 
cine with  Dr.  Haskall,  Hillboro,  Montgomery  County,  Illinois,  1850, 
1851  and  1852.  He  graduated  at  St.  Louis  Medical  College,  in  1856, 
and  commenced  the  practice  of  Medicine  in  Greenville,  Bond  County, 
Illinois,  during  the  same  year.  Was  engaged  in  pursuing  his  practice 
at  that  place,  until  January,  1863.  He  received  a  commission  as  2d 
Assistant  Surgeon  in  the  9th  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  entered 
upon  his  duties  as  such,  January  16th,  1863.  He  was  detailed,  for 
some  time,  to  take  charge  of  the  Medical  Department  of  the  Contra- 
bands at  LaG range,  and  afterwards  at  Corinth.  Has  been  constantly 
with  his  Regiment  since  the  1st  of  September,  1863,  having  been 
relieved  from  his  duties  iii  Corinth  at  that  time. 


HENRY   H.  KLOCK,  LIEUTENANT   AND   ADJUTANT. 

Was  born  in  Manheim,  Herkimer  County,  New  York,  November 
27th,  1835.  Received  a  common  school  education.  Removed  to  Illi- 
nois in  1854.  Was  engaged  in  teaching  public  school  in  Madison 


94  FIELD    AND    STAFF    OFFICERS. 

' 

County,  Illinois,  when  he  enlisted.  Enlisted  in  the  9th  Illinois  Infan- 
try, Company  F,  and  was  mustered  in  as  a  private,  July  28th,  1861. 
Was  detailed  as  Clerk  in  tne  Adjutant's  office,  from  September  1861. 
Was  commissioned  as  1st  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant  January  31st,  1862, 
to  rank  from  October  3d,  1861.  Has  been  with  the  Regiment  through 
most  of  its  battles.  Was  wounded  at  Shiloh  and  Corinth.  Is  still 
acting  as  Adjutant  for  the  Regiment,,  and  is  devoted  to  the  duties  of 
his  office. 


CHARLES    A.  SPATEE,  REGIMENTAL    QUARTERMASTER. 

Was  born  in  the  Dukedom  of  Saxony,  Altenburg,  in  the  year  1836. 
He  was  trained  for  the  profession  of  Architect.  He  emigrated  to  the 
United  States  in  1855.  After  his  arrival  in  this  country,  he  was  en- 
gagea  principally  in  working  upon  Railroads  and  Saw  Mills,  previous 
to  his  entering  the  service  of  his  adopted  country.  He  enlisted  in  the 
"  Three  months'  service,"  as  a  private  in  the  10th  Regiment  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry.  He  re-enlisted,  for  three  years,  as  a  private  in  the 
9th  Regiment  Volunteer  Infantry,  Company  K.  He  was  afterwards 
promoted  to  the  position  of  a  Sergeant.  In  December,  1861,  he  was 
appointed  Commissary  Sergeant.  He  was  commissioned  as  1st  Lieu- 
tenant and  Regimental  Quartermaster  ^October  4th,  1863.  He  continues 
to  occupy  this  position  at  the  present  time.  Lieutenant  Spatee  was  not 
in  the  military  service  in  the  old  country. 


MARION   MORRISON,  CHAPLAIN. 

Was  born  in  Adams  County,  Ohio,  June  2d,  1821.  He  was  trained 
as  a  farmer,  receiving  a  common  school  education.  In  the  Spring  of 
1841,  he  commenced  the  study  of  Latin,  preparatory  to  the  ministry. 
In  October,  1842,  he  entered  the  Freshman  class  in  Miami  University, 
Oxford,  Ohio,  and  graduated  August,  1846.  He  studied  Theology,  at 
the  A.  R.  Presbyterian  Theological  Seminary,  Oxford,  Ohio,  and  was 
licensed  to  preach,  by  the  A.  R.  Presbyterian  Presbytery  of  Chillicothej 
Ohio,  in  the  Spring  of  1849.  He  was  ordained  and  installed  Pastor 
of  the  A.  R.  Presbyterian  Congregation  of  West  Fork,  Adams  County, 
Ohio,  in  the  Spring  of  1850.  Was  elected  Professor  of  Mathematics 
and  Natural  Science  in  "Monmouth  College,"  June,  1856.  Resigned 
the  charge  of  his  Congregation,  and  removed  to  Monmouth,  Illinois, 
in  the  Summer  of  1856,  and  entered  upon  his  duties  as  Professor, 
September  of  the  same  year.  He  had  the  financial  charge  of  ''The 


FIELD   AND    STAFF   OFFICEKS. 

Western  United  Presbyterian/'  published  in  Monmouth  for  several 
years.  In  Juno,  1861,  he  assumed  the  entire  responsibility  of  that 
paper,  financial  and  editorial,  and  soon  after  united  it  with  "The 
Christian  Instructor,"  published  in  Philadelphia.  He  continues  an 
Associate  Editor  to  the  above  paper.  In  the  Summer  of  1861,  he  re- 
signed his  position  as  Professor  in  Monmouth  College,  and  was  engaged 
as  Financial  Agent  of  the  College,  until  July  30th,  1863,  when  he  wa* 
commissioned  as  "Captain  of  Cavalry,  and  Chaplain  of  the  9th 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry."  Was  mustered  into  the  service,  and. 
entered  upon  the  duties  of  Chaplain,  September  4th,  1863.  Has  been 
with  his  Regiment  ever  since,  except  during  January,  1864,  when  he- 
was  sent  to  Illinois  on  orders.  Rejoined  his  Regiment  February  1st,  1864. 


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OF  THE  NINTH  REGIMENT,  ILLINO 


